A local Type 3 incident management team has assumed command of firefighting efforts for the Big Fire (#313) and the Cecil Fire (#315). The team’s leadership is made up of U.S. Wildland Fire Service personnel from Alaska and personnel from the State of Michigan. The fires, which are separated by about a half mile, were detected on June 26. They were caused by lightning and are about 11 miles east of Ruby but are not currently threatening the community or nearby Native allotments.
Big Fire (#313)
Firefighters reported 10 to 15 areas of smoke along the right flank of the fire on Monday. The area received rain. The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection’s Gannett Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew is building control line along the right flank, making good progress. Smokejumpers are working to secure the left flank of the fire. The USWFS Midnight Sun Hotshots arrived Monday night from another fire and will start working along the right flank today with the Gannett Glacier Crew to complete the control line. Areas of tangled dead and down trees on the right flank and near the leading edge of the fire will take significant work to clear so hotspots can be found and extinguished.
Cecil Fire (#315)
Firefighters reported heat along the control line Monday despite receiving rain. Smokejumpers and the DFFP Pioneer Peak Hotshots worked throughout the day to eliminate the heat near the line. Work to finish and reinforce the control line will continue today. Temporary landing spots for helicopters are being built to make movement of fire crews and supplies easier. Additional crews have been ordered and are expected to begin arriving today.
PREDICTED WEATHER
Conditions are expected to stay dry for the next couple of days, with any shower activity in the area expected to stay over higher terrain. The chance of scattered showers with potential for lightning returns Thursday evening into Friday. Winds will be light and southwesterly today before the direction becomes variable tomorrow through Friday. Temperatures will warm into the low 70s by the end of this week, though the minimum relative humidities will only drop into the upper 30s, allowing for good overnight recovery.
AIR QUALITY
Smoke from the Big and Cecil fires has not significantly impacted Ruby, but residents should stay alert to changing conditions and take steps to protect their health if smoke moves into the community. Find more air quality information at https://dec.alaska.gov/air/anpms/wildfire-smoke/. Wildfire smoke contains fine particles and other pollutants that can be harmful to people’s health. It can irritate the eyes and lungs and is especially dangerous for elders, young children, and people with heart or respiratory conditions. Even short‑term exposure can worsen breathing problems.
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 