The Lush Fire (#199), is located on the north side of the Yukon River across from Rampart and remains at 26,544 acres. There was no precipitation on the fire yesterday, so it was another drying day for fuels.
Rampart
Fire behavior remains moderated on Lush and Elephant Fires
The Lush Fire (#199), remains at 26,544 acres and is located on the north side of the Yukon River across from Rampart. Yesterday’s partly sunny skies and no precipitation meant there was a drying day for fuels on the fire. Lingering areas of heat began to smolder and creep and small, light gray columns of smoke were observed. A warming and drying trend will occur into the weekend and atmospheric instability will increase the chance of showers and thunderstorms. After the weekend, southwest flow will be in the forecast bringing widespread light rain.
Evacuation status lifted for Elephant Fire (#225)
The Level 1 “Ready” evacuation status due to the Elephant Fire (#225) for Eureka and residences along the Eureka-Rampart Trail has been removed. The affected area includes the Eureka Road beginning at Milepost 130 of the Elliott Highway, extending north to the Eureka-Rampart Trail. It also includes the community of Eureka and stretches north past a cluster of structures near Granite Creek. Fire managers believe the current conditions of the fire no longer warrant the evacuation status.
Recent precipitation results in minimal fire behavior on Lush and Elephant Fires
The Lush Fire (#199) is 26,544 acres, a slight reduction in sized due to more accurate mapping. The fire is located in the north side of the Yukon River, across from Rampart. Yesterday, the fire received intermittent patchy rain in the morning, before switching into a light and steady rain all afternoon. There was no notable fire activity yesterday.
Fire growth remains minimal on Elephant and Lush fires; crews continue structure protection and mop up
The Elephant and Lush fires continued to show minimal activity throughout the day yesterday. Firefighters remained focused on protecting values at risk.
Containment efforts advance on the Elephant and Lush fires as weather trends hotter and drier
Fire behavior was slightly more active on the Elephant (#225) and Lush (#199) fires yesterday but remained minimal overall. Crews made steady progress, taking advantage of favorable weather to continue work on firelines and structure protection.
Firefighters make steady progress on Elephant and Lush fires amid favorable conditions
There was no significant fire growth on the Elephant (#225) or Lush (#199) fires yesterday. Firefighters took advantage of the favorable conditions to strengthen control lines and backhaul unneeded equipment.
Favorable weather aids firefighting efforts; crews strengthen containment lines
A steady soaking rain fell over the Elephant Fire (#225) yesterday, resulting in another day of moderate fire behavior and no increase in fire size. Firefighters engaged the fire as the weather allowed, making steady progress throughout the day.
Evacuation level reduced to “Ready” for the Elephant Fire
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.
Firefighters continue successful structure protection on the Elephant Fire
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.
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 