This will be the final update for the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DOF) fires this Alaska fire season unless there is significant activity. While repair work on the affected areas will continue as the season winds down, anyone with specific questions can call the Statewide Fire Information line at (907) 356-5511.
Tok Area:
7 Mile Lookout Fire (#222)
4,095 acres I Containment: 58% I Total Personnel: 60
Update: Crews are continuing to work on the southern and eastern sides of the fire, focusing on cooling previously identified heat sources. The Tanana Chiefs Fire Crew and the Mat-Su Crew are supporting suppression and mop-up efforts. Recent cooler and wetter weather has aided these efforts and will continue to cool hot spots. Firefighters will continue working as weather permits.
Please stay away from the area. Unstable trees with burned shallow roots can fall unexpectedly. Ash pits can also collapse, causing serious burns, as smoldering duff layers can burn underground for weeks or months.
The burn suspension in the Tok area has been lowered to a low fire danger, and burn permits were allowed as of Friday, August 15th. More information about the Burn Permit program and suspensions can be found at https://dnr.alaska.gov/burn.
No evacuations or TFR’s in place for the 7 Mile Lookout Fire.
Public Information Line: (907) 505-0362
Email: 2025.7milelookout@firenet.gov
Fairbanks Area:
Himalaya Road Fire (#223):
6,057 acres I 60% Containment
Aggie Creek Fire (#268):
34,837 acres I 5% Containment
Total Personnel: 43
Update: Excavators have completed work on the ATV trails north of the Pete Simpson Forestry Road and on the two-track roads. They have been moved to the west side of the Himalaya Road Fire to finish the dozer lines that connect to the fire area. This work is expected to continue throughout the weekend and is crucial for minimizing long-term damage and helping the area recover.
In a separate effort, resource advisors have been able to access the remote dozer line near mile 50 of the Chatanika River. A repair plan has been developed, which includes installing water bars and pulling some of the dozer berms back over the line. This repair work is expected to take a couple of days to complete.
There are still more dozer lines that need to be repaired, but the weather is a factor. Some areas are difficult to access in the rain, and some permafrost areas will need to wait until the ground freezes for proper repair. Fire managers are working to finalize the repair plan before handing the project over to local crews to continue the late-season work around the end of the month.
To ensure the safety of everyone in the area, flaggers are periodically stationed on the Elliot Highway. Their job is to safely facilitate the movement of heavy equipment, including dozers and excavators, to and from the fire lines. This is a crucial step in maintaining a safe work environment for fire personnel and protecting the public.
For your safety and the safety of our crews, please drive with extreme caution through the area. Be mindful of your speed and watch for firefighters and heavy equipment operating on and near the roadways.
No evacuations and no TFR in place for the Himalaya and Aggie Creek Fires.
Public Information Line: (907) 921-7881
Email: 2025.himalayaroad@firenet.gov
Nenana Ridge Complex
Bonanza Creek Fire (#238):
12,576- acres I 15% containment
Goldstream Creek Fire (#270):
20,471 acres I 41% containment
Total Personnel: 50
Update: Crews are focused on suppression repair efforts, using heavy equipment like graders, excavators, and rollers to restore fire lines and roads. Progress has been made, but it is weather-dependent as wet roads can delay grading work.
Due to the numerous spur roads that branch off the highway into the fire area, fire managers and firefighters have requested that these areas remain restricted. This is to ensure they can safely operate heavy equipment and for the crews to work without public intrusion. The forestry roads are often very narrow, and vehicles or ATVs blocking access can cause significant delays to fire suppression and road work. Furthermore, with the start of grouse hunting season, the presence of hunters in active fire zones poses a safety risk. Unexpected gunshots can be unsettling for firefighters and could lead to potential safety issues due to the close and uncoordinated proximity of hunters and fire personnel.
This restricted roads includes the following roads and all connecting roads:
* Nenana Ridge Road
* Bonanza Creek Road
* Maisch Logging Road
* Skinny Dick’s logging roads
*Standard Creek Road
Fire managers are aware that hunting season is underway and that moose season will be starting soon. Firefighters are working to complete as much of the necessary work as possible to make these areas more accessible. However, progress can be delayed by weather and by the impact of the public on the roads. For your safety and the safety of the crews, please stay out of the fire area.
Please remember that even as fire activity winds down, the area still has many hazards, including heavy equipment, unstable trees, and ash pits. For your safety, it’s best to stay out of the fire area until all restrictions are lifted.
Currently, logging companies with parcels in the area are working with the Division of Forestry to coordinate safe access. Foresters are also working to salvage timber from the Tanana Valley State Forest that was impacted by the fire, creating log decks and preparing for future sales.
An interactive map showing the hunting units impacted by the fire areas, including the restricted roads, can be found on our map:
No evacuations or TFR’s in place for Nenana Ridge Complex.
Public Information Line: (907) 331-0454
Email: 2025.nenanaridgecomplex@firenet.gov
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 