Progress continues to be made on the 547-acre Starry Fire (#234) thanks to the hardworking crews and personnel assigned to the fire. Fairbanks 1 Type 2 Crew, Clearwater Type 2 Crew, Mooseheart Mountain Type 2 Crew and the Yukon Fire Type 2 IA Crew have worked together to contain 70% of the fire.
On Sunday, crews cold trailed, or used their hands to feel for heat, up to 200 feet in from the perimeter. Firefighters continued to work through the copious amounts of tangled fallen trees, knows as jack straw, that line the eastern flank of the fire. A dozer berm that had been smoking on the southwest corner is now out after engines soaked it with water, spread it out and gridded for heat. The White Mountain Type 2 IA Crew arrived Sunday evening.
The plan for Monday is to continue cutting and removing the jack straw on the eastern flank, working towards the interior of the fire. Crews will begin pulling unneeded equipment from areas that have been put out, including the spot fires. A hose lay will remain around the perimeter of the fire. During the next couple of days, the perimeter will be gridded up to 300 feet in, ensuring no heat remains.
Breezy southwesterly winds with gusts in the teens will continue Monday, though less severe than Sunday’s winds. There is a chance of light scattered rain showers throughout the day. Temperatures are predicted to peak at the low 60’s.
The Starry Fire was reported on June 21st. Updates will be every other day starting today, June 29th.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 