There was an uptick in fire behavior on the pair of fires burning in the Yukon Flats Tuesday as firefighters continue to work to protect Native allotments, historical cabins and the village of Venetie. The fire activity has been building for three days in a row due to the sunshine, temperatures in the 60s and lack of rain.
AK Fire Info
Yukon Flats fires remain active as predicted rains fail to materialize
Predicted showers have not materialized over the fire areas as prolonged dry conditions and sunny skies instigated increased fire behavior on the Marten Creek and Discovery Creek fires Monday.
Fire season lingers in the Yukon Flats while rain douses much of Alaska
While most of Alaska is seeing a significant amount of rain, the Yukon Flats continues to experience sunny skies with minimal amounts of moisture. Two of the staffed fires in Alaska – the Marten Creek Fire and the Discovery Creek Fire burning about 30 miles northwest of Venetie – are in the Yukon Flats.
Heavy rain dampens activity on Munson Creek Fire; evacuation level reduced to ‘Ready’
The fire received rain on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the heaviest rainfall reported on Sunday. As of Monday morning, a remote automated weather station near the fire had received 1.2 inches of precipitation since Friday.
Rain and cooler weather take edge off Munson Creek Fire near Chena Hot Springs
The fire received what Peterson described as “solid rain” Friday but that along won’t be enough to put it out. It will require substantial rain to put the fire out. Nonetheless, the cooler, wetter weather will retard fire behavior and keep the fire from acting up like it had been during the hot, dry weather earlier this week.
Cool, moist weather dampens pair of Yukon Flats fires
A mixture of cool, moist weather has tempered the Marten Creek Fire (#386) and Discovery Creek Fire (#388) burning in the Yukon Flats, giving firefighters a reprieve from the dry conditions that significantly increased the size of the two fires in the past few days.
Fish smoker believed to be responsible for small wildfire near Willow in Mat-Su Valley
Two engines and Helitack from Mat-Su Area Forestry in Palmer responded, as well as multiple engines and water tenders from four local fire departments – Houston, Caswell, Talkeetna and Willow. With assistance from helicopter water drops, firefighters on the ground were able to quickly corral the fire and contain it to one-half acre.
New fire in the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve northwest of Eagle
The Big Boulder Fire (#416) was detected within the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve on Thursday, August 5 via a satellite heat signature. Alaska Fire Service air attack airplane flew over the area later that morning and reported the fire to be 25 acres, 70% active, burning on a ridgetop in mixed spruce and hardwoods.
Salcha River 2 Fire grows to estimated 3,000 acres; smoke impacting Fairbanks
The 3,000-acre Salcha River 2 Fire about 65 miles east of Fairbanks and 15 miles southeast of the Munson Creek Fire is also putting up significant smoke due to increased activity caused by the record-setting heat wave that has broiled the Central and Eastern Interior in recent days. Northeast winds have been pushing smoke from the two fires into Fairbanks and the surrounding areas the past two days.
Yukon Flats fires see significant fire activity, growth for third day
Both lightning-caused fires actively burned late into the night and saw significant gains in acreage over the past few days. The Marten Creek Fire is still about 10 miles northeast of Venetie, but doubled in size for the second day in a row.
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 