Hess Creek Fire – Alaska Wildland Fire Information

Mile long fuel break completed next to the Elliott Highway – Hess Creek Fire Update 7/19/19

By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 19, 2019

Crews working on the #HessCreekFire finished installing a 1-mile long fuel break parallel to the Elliott Highway Thursday. The finished product resulted in a 30-foot-wide removal of black spruce and shrub, which will reduce the amount of burnable vegetation along… Read More ›

Firefighters enhance fuel break along Elliott Highway – Hess Creek Fire Update 7/18/19

By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 18, 2019

Aerial footage of the two hot spots across the Elliott Highway A type 3 team from Wyoming will begin arriving in Fairbanks over the next few days to replace the Southern Idaho team, which finishes their 14-day assignment on Saturday…. Read More ›

Saw line completed along Cleary Creek drainage – Hess Creek Fire update 7/17/19

By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 17, 2019

Crews made excellent progress placing saw line from the Elliott Highway north to the Cleary Creek drainage to tie into an already burned area of the #HessCreekFire. This line will provide a solid anchor point to begin firing operations should… Read More ›

Crews to start saw line operations up Cleary Creek Drainage – Hess Creek Fire Update 7/16/19

By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 16, 2019

Firefighters continue to actively monitor weather patterns to prepare for an increase in fire activity on the #HessCreekFire should warmer weather occur. Higher humidity and lower temperatures are limiting fire spread. However, because black spruce needles and branches are highly… Read More ›

Precipitation reduces fire activity on the Hess Creek Fire – Update for 7/15/19

By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 15, 2019

Firefighters continue to actively monitor weather patterns to prepare for an increase in fire activity. While higher humidity and lower temperatures reduce fire activity, the fuel type this fire is burning in is highly susceptible to taking off should conditions… Read More ›

Hess Creek Fire grows to 170,293 acres – Fire Update 7/14/19

By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 14, 2019

The reduction in smoke allowed operation personnel to fly the 127-mile perimeter of the #HessCreekFire on Saturday. The south edge of the fire received moisture for the second consecutive day. It continues to smolder just north of the Mercantile; slowly… Read More ›

Hazardous Trees along Elliott Highway – Hess Creek Fire Update 7/12/19

By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 12, 2019

Current Situation: The two spot fires from the #HessCreekFire that crossed the Elliott Highway on Tuesday grew by five additional acres by the time firefighters finished constructing line Thursday evening. Suppression efforts were impeded by hazardous trees, which continued to… Read More ›

Livengood Cemetery Still Intact After Fire – Hess Creek Fire Update 7/11/19

By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 11, 2019

Current Situation: Higher relative humidity and slightly lower temperatures helped reduce fire intensity and minimize growth on the #HessCreekFire Wednesday. Firefighters put in saw line and laid hose while a helicopter conducted bucket drops to keep two spot fires from… Read More ›

Hess Creek Fire Update 7/10/19

By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 10, 2019

Current Situation: Yesterday smoke receded to a level on the #HessCreekFire where fire personnel could fly the perimeter of the fire. During the flight, fire officials obtained a more accurate acreage and observed fire behavior, which allowed them to tailor… Read More ›