Firefighters are making excellent progress on the Granite Fire (#222), achieving 80% containment on the 36-acre blaze located 15 miles southeast of Delta Junction. As of Sunday, crews have successfully laid hose lines around roughly 90% of the fire’s perimeter.
The fire was first discovered by Delta Area Forestry personnel at 2 p.m. on Saturday and was immediately met with an aggressive initial attack from both the air and the ground. Air tankers, multi-engine water scoopers, single-engine water scoopers, water-dropping helicopters, and an air attack platform worked to map the edge and slow the fire’s advance. This allowed the White Mountain and Tanana Chiefs Type 2 IA crews to establish a direct saw line right away.
On Sunday, June 21, suppression efforts were reinforced by the arrival of the Southwest McGrath area EFF crew. On the north side, a dozer successfully pushed a control line, followed by crews laying hose and securing the edge. On the south side, the fire’s forward progress slowed as it ran into black spruce and mixed hardwoods bordering a large agricultural field. Three crews remain on scene, supported by ongoing helicopter bucket drops to keep the fire firmly in check.
.
The Barley Fire 2 (#257) was reported by a delta land owner at approximately 5:30 pm on Sunday, June 21. This lightning caused fire is in close proximity to the Granite Fire in Delta Junction. Fire managers in Delta have assumed command of this fire. Firefighters on the Granite Fire (#222) were pulled off the fire line for safety reasons during the lightning storm and staged nearby. A DFFP helicopter responded to the fire and is configuring for bucket work and firefighters will reengage when safe to do so.
There are no evacuations in place and there are no structures imminently threatened.
Southwest Fire Crew 1 based out of McGrath is out in Delta Junction working on the Granite Fire (#222) Video: Stephen Rawding/DFFP
Pogo Fire (#223) and Shaw Fire (#226)
Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection is responded to multiple smoke reports in the area east of Quartz Lake and also along the Pogo Mine Road on Saturday, June 20. Shaw Fire (#226) has been confirmed east of Shaw Creek, visible from Milepost 27 Pogo Mine Road. It is estimated to be 74-acres and is pushing into the burned area of the 2022 Gold Hub Fire. The fire is smoldering and creeping in a mix of tundra and spruce.
Another fire on the south side of the South Fork Salcha River, the Pogo Fire (#223), was reported putting up a light smoke column. Both of these fires have been receiving rain, and fire behavior has moderated. There are no structures immediately threatened or need for evacuations.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 