Firefighters Reach 20% Containment on Konedsin Minnkohwin Fire  

The Konedsin Minnkohwin Fire (#404), located approximately 40 miles west of the Dalton Highway and 21 miles east of the community of Allakaket is estimated at 160 acres following updated mapping refined the fire’s size. Firefighters achieved 20% containment Saturday after the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chena Interagency Hotshots completed hose lay on the fire’s western flank. Today, crews will continue extending hose to the west while mopping up within the fire’s perimeter. The fire remains within its existing footprint, burning in caribou lichen, tundra, mixed spruce, hardwood and peat along lake berms. Light rain overnight moderated fire activity and the fire is currently exhibiting smoldering behavior. Morning assessments indicate the fire experienced minimal overnight growth.   

Party sunny skies, high temperatures near 69 degrees and minimum relative humidity around 40% are forecast today. Light southwest winds around 5 mph are expected to keep fire activity subdued, though smoldering fire activity may continue in deeper ground fuels. Scattered rain showers are forecast to develop overnight, bringing additional moisture to the area.    

Thirty-three personnel are assigned to the incident. Crews continue working to hold the fire within its current footprint while minimizing impacts to protected caribou habitat and other sensitive resources. The suppression strategy remains focused on securing and strengthening containment lines, mopping up hotspots and preventing any additional spread.   

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, US Wildland Fire Service

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