August 30th, 2:30 p.m. Update:
A new wildfire, the 1320 Alaska Highway Fire (#537), was reported around 1:00 p.m. today and is less than an acre in size. This fire is located near Fireweed Lane outside of Tok, in the same area as previously reported human-caused fires. Tok Forestry & Fire Protection engines and a NPS Denali Module have contained the fire and are currently mopping up. A fire investigator is on scene and looking into the cause of these fires. Please stay out of the area to allow firefighters and fire investigators to complete their work.
This is the tenth fire within the same two-mile stretch of the Alaska Highway, west of Tok, in the last three days.
August 29th, 4:30 p.m. Update:
Three additional fires have been responded to in the same area of Mile Markers 1319 and 1321 of the Alaska Highway near Tok. These fires are the Fireweed St 2 Fire (#533), the Pump Station Road Fire (#530), and the Pump Station Rd 2 Fire (#532). They have been controlled to less than one acre, and firefighters are mopping up these three fires.
This totals five confirmed fires on the night of August 28th and four confirmed fires on August 29th. Firefighters remain in the area to mop up and search for any new smoke in the area.
August 29th, 12:00 p.m. Update:
Around 5:30 p.m. yesterday, a report of smoke about 6 miles west of Tok led to the discovery of multiple fires.
Tok Forestry & Fire Protection engines, NPS module, Tok Volunteer Fire Department, Alaska State Troopers, and a forestry helicopter responded to the scene and confirmed that there were multiple new fire starts all within a 2-mile stretch of each other. All the fires appeared to be human-caused and are currently under investigation, as no lightning strikes have been recorded in the area for over 2 weeks. The fires, burning in black spruce and tundra, were not immediately threatening any infrastructure, but are in a full suppression area and close to residential areas.
Resources worked late into the night and were successful in containing all the fires. Tok Forestry will be out in the area again today to ensure there is no lingering heat.
The fires found last night include the Gravel Pit Rd Fire (#523),40277 Rd Fire (#524), MP 1320 Fire (#525), Fireweed St Fire (#526) and the MP 1321Fire (#527).
This morning, August 29th at 11 am, another fire in the same location was reported. This fire is the 1319 Alaska Highway Fire (#528). This fire was responded to by Tok Forestry resources to the 10ft by 50 ft fire burning in black spruce. Firefighters have controlled the fire and are currently on scene doing mop-up.
All of these fires are located between Mile Markers 1319 and 1321 of the Alaska Highway. Each fire has been contained to less than 0.10 acres.
Tok is currently experiencing high fire danger, and burn permits are suspended. Despite many parts of the state experiencing wetter weather, eastern Alaska has had days of high temperatures and high winds, creating conditions where fires can start easily and spread quickly.
Human-caused fires are preventable. Please be vigilant and do your part to prevent wildfires. Double-check that your campfires are cold to the touch, secure any chains that could drag and spark, and be cautious with any activities that could cause a spark. Every little bit helps protect our communities.
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 