6:30 PM – Helitack completed its bucket operations and returned to base with its firefighters to be in position to respond to new fires as lightning continues to strike across the Interior. The DFFP engine and its crewmembers have also been released from the fire. The smokejumpers and Tongass SMOD remain on the fire cutting sawline and building a pump and hose system around the fire. The fire is estimated to be 0.56-acres. The firefighters are expected to work into the evening.
This will be the last update for the fire unless there are significant changes.
4:45 PM – The U.S. Forest Service Tongass Small Module has arrived on the Twin Bear Fire (#253). Those eight firefighters were joined by eight smokejumpers who parachuted to the fire. Helitack will continue bucket operations to support the 23 firefighters on the ground.
3:30 PM – Recreational floaters on the Chena River reported a lightning caused fire in the area of Milepost 31 Chena Hot Springs Road on Friday afternoon. Fairbanks Forestry Area Helitack responded and discovered the Twin Bear Fire (#253) north of the road along Colorado Creek. Initial size up estimated the fire at 2-acres, burning in black spruce with a 90% active perimeter. Several cabins are in the area of the fire. Helitack deployed its firefighters and started bucket operations.
Drivers on Chena Hot Springs Road need to watch out for firefighting equipment responding to the incident.
This report will be updated as more information becomes available.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 