Smokejumpers and firefighting aircraft responded Sunday to a new wildfire about 20 miles west of Manley Hot Springs. The Bean Fire (#362) was initially estimated at 80 acres and was burning at a moderate rate of spread, with fire running and torching through brush and tussocks. Smokejumpers on scene reported that water‑scooping aircraft were very effective in stopping most of the fire’s forward movement.
Three small‑engine and two large‑engine water‑scooping aircraft were initially ordered and worked on opposite sides of the fire. After arriving on the ground, smokejumpers requested four additional single‑engine scoopers to support the rest of the air operations. On the ground, crews are cutting brush along the fire’s edge and installing hose lines to help cool the perimeter.
The fire is located about 5 miles north of the Tanana River and Cosna Slough near Patterson Creek. It is also roughly 5 miles north of several Native allotments and cabins. While these sites are not immediately threatened, firefighters are monitoring the area closely. The fire is burning within an area that last burned in 2015.
Contact Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen at Elizabeth_ipsen@ios.doi.gov or (907)356-5510 for more information.
-USWFS-
U.S. Wildland Fire Service, P.O. Box 35005 1541 Gaffney Road, Fort Wainwright, Ak 99703
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Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, US Wildland Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 