Elephant fire

Map shows evacuation levels around Eureka, AK. Green color denotes Level 1 "Ready". Red shaded area notes the current fire location.

Evacuation level reduced to “Ready” for the Elephant Fire

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Cooler, wetter weather settled over the Elephant Fire (#225) yesterday, bringing much-needed precipitation across the area. The Cherokee Hotshots scouted the southern edge of the fire and finalized a strategy to secure that portion of the perimeter. Work will begin in that area today, if weather allows. Meanwhile, the North Star Type 2 hand crew continued work on securing the eastern edge of the fire where it jumped across Minook Creek.

High-intensity fire burns through spruce trees. Smoke fills the air above the trees.

Firefighters continue successful structure protection on the Elephant Fire

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Firefighters made significant progress yesterday on the Elephant Fire (#225) north of Eureka, continuing a complex defensive firing operation to eliminate the light, flashy fuels that have been driving fire spread. This controlled burnout operation is being used to protect structures on the northeastern portion of the fire. Firefighters also monitored and improved sprinkler systems around cabins to enhance defensible space. Hotshot crews constructed containment line on the active fire edge in the Minook Creek drainage. Today, crews will begin line construction along the fire’s southern edge near Eureka and continue structure protection throughout the fire area.

A firefighter in full protective gear is putting fire on the ground with a drip torch. The front portion of the photo is in low green vegetation and behind the line of low fire are sparse spruce trees. The sky above is clear and blue.

Rains help to moderate Elephant Fire activity

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The Elephant Fire (#225) is located approximately 3 miles north of Eureka and is 5,598 acres. Fire behavior was moderate yesterday with heavy rains on the southern portion of the fire Sunday evening. There is a continued forecast for wetting rains through the day today. A weather pattern change will start tonight, bringing unseasonably cool temperatures higher humidity levels that will help firefighting efforts. Yesterday, one additional crew of firefighters and 3 smokejumpers arrived to assist with the fire.

Level 2 “Set” evacuation notice for residents in Eureka due to the Elephant Fire

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At noon today, a Level 2 “Set” evacuation notice is in place for Eureka and residences along the Eureka-Rampart Trail due to the Elephant Fire (#225). A “Set” notice means residents should prepare a “go-kit” including prescription medications, emergency supplies, important documents. Plan an evacuation route and keep up to date on the most current local emergency plans. Know where to find the most current information from local authorities. Create a personal wildland fire action plan. Plan multiple escape routes, make sure all those residing within the home know the plan and practice evacuation procedures so everyone is familiar with the plan. Citizens can also follow the Alaska State Troopers Facebook page for the most immediate notification of evacuation changes.

An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) comes in for a landing along the Yukon River. Two fire personnel are shown standing along the river with their yellow Nomex shirts and green Nomex pants. Across the river, an island with tall spruce is seen. The air is very smokey.

Lush Fire utilizes water scoopers to protect Alaska Native Allotments

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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.

A smoke plume rises on the Lush Fire (#199). The fire is very active and pushing towards the southwest corner of the fire. The plume is rising straight up the Yukon River is on the bottom of the photograph.

Lush Fire exhibits extreme fire behavior with two mile run

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At approximately 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, winds on the Lush Fire (#199) increased dramatically (up to 30 miles per hour). Extreme fire behavior with wind driven runs, running fire, and spotting occurred. The fire made an estimated two mile run in under two hours, with the fire pushing from southcentral to southwest of the perimeter. Three crews had to be pulled off of the fire and shuttled across the Yukon River towards Rampart. Tankers dropped 2 loads of fire retardant around a cabin on the southwest corner of the fire.

Two firefighters are watering down a helipad to reduce debris for helicopter landing and take off. The helipad is an open gravel area next to the Yukon River. Behind the river are mountains. There is a small helicopter on the pad behind the firefighters. The firefighters are both wearing Nomex protective gear and have a hose stretched out from the river and are wetting the helipad.

Firefighters continue progress on Tanana Zone fires

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On Friday, the Lush Fire (#199) experienced minimal fire activity with smoldering and creeping. Some smoke showed on portions of the fire, and there is heat along the perimeter. Weather yesterday was partly to mostly sunny and there was no precipitation over the fire area. There is a small chance for scattered showers through the weekend. With the warming and drying trend over the next couple of days, more active fire behavior is anticipated.