Firefighters have achieved 10% containment on the Big Fire (#313) and 40% containment on the Cecil Fire (#315). 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.
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Midnight Sun Hotshots have joined the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection’s Gannett Glacier Type 2 Crew on the Big Fire. They are building and reinforcing control line on the right flank and near the leading edge of the fire. Tangled dead and down trees in this area will take significant work to clear so hotspots can be put out. Nearly two dozen smokejumpers are working to secure the left flank of the fire and reinforce the control line.
The Pike Hotshots from Colorado, the Whiskeytown Wildland Fire Module from California, and the Woodhawk Wildland Fire Module from Montana joined the DFFP Pioneer Peak Hotshots and 10 smokejumpers on the Cecil Fire yesterday. Firefighters continue to build and secure control line around the fire, looking for and extinguishing any areas of heat that could threaten the line.
PREDICTED WEATHER: Calm conditions today give way to the return of showers and thunderstorms beginning Thursday. Thunderstorms and wetting rain are more likely in the afternoon and over higher terrain. Winds are expected to stay light and variable except for where storms develop. High temperatures will be in the upper 60s to low 70s.
AIR QUALITY: Smoke 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.
For updated fire information, visit Alaska Wildland Fire Information (akfireinfo.com).
NOTE: Updates for the Big and Cecil fires will be released on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, US Wildland Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 