The effort to fully suppress two wildfires burning east of Ruby was reinforced Saturday with the arrival of additional firefighting crews.
The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection’s Gannett Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew joined nearly two dozen smokejumpers and multiple water-scooping aircraft on the Big Fire (#313). Nearby, the DFFP’s Pioneer Peak Hotshots, the Woodhawk Wildland Fire Module from Montana, and a dozen smokejumpers are now assigned to the Cecil Fire (#315).
The lightning-caused fires are separated by less than a mile. They are about 11 miles east of Ruby and 5 miles south of Ninemile Slough near Big Creek in a Full protection area. They have been burning away from Ruby and the nearby Native allotments.
The Big Fire is estimated at 260 acres. The Cecil Fire is estimated at 1,000 acres. The area where both fires are burning began receiving consistent rainfall Saturday night. They did not see much growth on Saturday, thanks to firefighting efforts and the consistent rainfall. Firefighters established anchor points on both fires and worked up the flanks to begin securing the edge. This work will continue today, depending on the weather conditions. Water-scooping aircraft will support fire crews on the ground today, as weather permits. Smoke may still be visible from Ruby.
TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION
The FAA has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction that covers the airspace above both fires to provide a safe environment for firefighting activity. The TFR can be found at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_6_1085. General aviation pilots are reminded to check for TFRs in their area before takeoff.
As always, areas where wildfires are being fought must be a No Drone Zone for the safety of firefighting air crews and people on the ground. A civilian drone spotted near a wildfire will temporarily ground all firefighting aircraft, halting their support for crews on the ground and elevating the risk to life and property. Remember, “If You Fly, We Can’t!”
For updated fire information, visit Alaska Wildland Fire Information (akfireinfo.com). Contact Public Information Officer Geoff Liesik at geoff_liesik@firenet.gov or (907) 356-5510 for more information.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, US Wildland Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 