Driven by wind and exceptionally dry fuels, the fire grew exponentially on Sunday despite an aggressive aerial response. with growth primarily on the north edge of the fire into what fire managers described as a “sea of black spruce” that has not burned in 30 years.
Active Wildland Fire
Rain puts damper on 54,000-acre Munson Creek Fire; evac level reduced from ‘Set’ to ‘Ready’
The reduced fire activity due to the rain prompted fire managers with the Alaska Division of Forestry to recommend reducing the evacuation level for homes and cabins along the end of Chena Hot Springs Road from a “Set” to a “Ready” effective immediately. The Fairbanks North Star Borough announced the reduced evacuation status at 2 p.m. Monday.
Firefighters battle testy Black Hills Fire near Tok to protect cabin on allotment
The fire burned up to and around the cabin but firefighters arrived in time to extinguish the flames before they ignited the cabin.
Fire near edge of Haystack Fire burn believed to be a lightning start, not a holdover
There were two lightning strikes recorded in the area, including one in close proximity to where the fire started on the edge of the Haystack Fire perimeter. The fire origin was located in a green finger of unburned vegetation between a four-wheeler trail and a dozer line constructed for the Haystack Fire.
State forestry air tanker assists Canada with retardant drops on wildfire in the Yukon
The State of Alaska has a cross-border “splash and dash” agreement with Canada to provide aerial assistance with wildfire suppression, if resources are available.
State forestry responding to flareup on Haystack Fire north of Fairbanks
A helicopter is on scene dropping water on the 2- to 3-acre fire and Helitack firefighters have been deployed to attack it on the ground. Two water-scooping aircraft based at Fort Wainwright have been ordered for water drops. Two more water scoopers and an air tanker that are currently working on a fire near Tok have also been requested to respond, as well as a hand crew.
Fairbanks Forestry watching another fire 15 miles northwest of Munson Creek Fire
Fire managers from Fairbanks Area Forestry are monitoring a new 100-acre wildfire burning in a Limited protection area east and south of the Steese Highway about 40 miles northeast of Fairbanks. It is roughly 15 miles northwest of the ongoing Munson Creek Fire near Chena Hot Springs.
Smoke from new wildfire in Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge attracts attention in Tok
The Black Hills Fire was reported on Wednesday and is burning about 2 miles west of Jatahmund Lake and 3 miles east of the Nabesna River. Smoke from the fire is visible from the Alaska Highway, Tok CutOff and Tetlin Road. There are several lakes and ponds in the area that will serve as natural barriers to help slow the progress of the fire.
Alaska Incident Management Team, two hotshot crews head to Lower 48 to help with wildfires
The Alaska Type 1 Incident Management Team, two Alaska hotshot crews and more than a dozen Alaska Smokejumpers have been mobilized to the Lower 48 to assist with wildland fire management in the western United States.
Munson Creek Fire near Chena Hot Springs still cooking with hot, dry weather
The fire was producing a significant smoke column south of Chena Hot Springs on Monday that was clearly visible from Chena Hot Springs Resort. The fire is most active on the northeast corner well east of Chena Hot Springs and Far Mountain, and along the southern perimeter along the Middle Fork Chena River. The fire has not crossed the river and remains north of the river.
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 