It’s been six days since the initial attack of the Starry Fire #234 in Anderson, Alaska. So far firefighters have stopped progression of the 547-acre fire, wrapped it with dozer line and hose and have secured 10 feet in around the entire perimeter, reaching a containment level of 60%.
Since that time the City of Anderson has dropped evacuation levels from a ‘Go’ status, to a ‘Ready’ status. The work was accomplished by prompt initial attack response from local fire departments: Anderson, Tri-Valley, and Nenana. Additionally, a heavy aerial response from both state and federal aviation resources helped to limit the spread of the fire.
Thursday the goal is to secure “out cold” 50 feet into the fire’s perimeter. The forecasted dry weather for the next two days can cause remaining heat to smoke, making it easier to find and eliminate.
Wednesday the Fairbanks 1 Type 2 Crew helped improve key sections of dozer line, making access and egress easier throughout the fire. The rest of the crew was on the east side of the fire cutting out areas of heat and extinguishing them with water and tools.
The Pioneer Peak Hotshot Crew cut saw line around areas of heat around the north side of the line. The Yukon Type 2 IA Fire Crew worked on the west side, cutting saw line and searching outside the fire’s perimeter for heat.
The federal contract crews the Mooseheart Type 2 Crew and the Clearwater Type 2 Crew cleaned up line and gridded for heat on the east side of the fire.
On the south side of the fire, resources cleaned up a 1.5 acre spot fire that now only has three remaining areas of smoke.
A group of firefighters took the six-mile, 2-hour ride in an amphibious vehicle up to the Lost Fire #236 to cut out debris and put water on hot sections of the 1-acre fire. The group will go up again today to search for and extinguish any remaining heat.
Operations is planning an aerial reconnaissance of the Seventeen Mile Fire #258, which is 3 miles west of Anderson passed the Nenana River. The was reported on June 21st and the State of Alaska Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has been monitoring it.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 