Active Wildland Fire

Lush Fire utilizes water scoopers to protect Alaska Native Allotments

Yesterday, fire behavior on the Lush Fire (#199) was active with small wind-driven winds, flanking, and backing. The most active area of the fire was on the southwest corner. Smokejumpers were inserted into that corner to construct direct line and keep fire out of the Native Alaska Allotments. Later in the day, helicopters with buckets and then water scoopers performed effective operations on this area. They were also utilized on the northern flank of the fire where areas of heat have been detected.

Ninetyeight Fire grows towards the north and west; Firefighters gain containment near structures

The Ninetyeight Fire (#218) remained active yesterday under continued hot and dry conditions. It is now 10,544 acres in size, with some growth to the north and west. On the southwest side, the fire is burning in hardwoods, which has moderated fire spread. Yesterday scooper aircraft and helicopters conducted water drops on the southwest corner from Salcha to the boundary of military land to assist hotshots in keeping that portion of the fire in check.