Salcha

Evacuation level downgraded to Level 1 “Ready” on the Middle and Lower Salcha River areas

The Middle and Lower Salcha River Level 2 “Set” evacuation notices has been downgraded to a Level 1 “Ready” due to moderated fire activity and work completed by firefighters to protect the cabins and other sites from the Ninetyeight Fire (#218). All Salcha River area evacuation levels are now at Level 1 “Ready,” which means residents should be ready for potential evacuation. The evacuation map and other information can be found on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Operations website at Fairbanks North Star Borough. Text WILDFIRES to 67283 to receive text notifications.

Crews advancing fireline on the Ninetyeight Fire

Today will be the last written update for the Ninetyeight Fire (#218) which remained in a creeping and smoldering pattern with some single tree torching. Yesterday crews continued progression of the fireline along the south and southwest corner. Completion of objectives (keep fire north of Salcha river) remains at 54% and acreage at 15,677.

Additional help arrives on the Ninetyeight Fire

The Tatanka Hotshot crew arrived yesterday and will join forces with the USFS R10 crew. They will continue mop-up and hazard tree removal along the south and southwest perimeter of the Ninetyeight Fire (#218). The sprinkler system along the south and southwest perimeter of the fire was extended to cover the areas that were worked yesterday. Completion has been increased to 54% despite fire weather in the area slowly drying out since receiving the last trace of rain.

Recent moisture helps increase completion to 48% on Ninetyeight Fire

Recent moisture over the fire area has kept fire activity at a low and firefighters have increased completion to 48%. Crews reported a trace of rain over the fire yesterday afternoon. Fire behavior for the Ninetyeight Fire (#218) was listed as creeping and smoldering. A recent Infrared (IR) flight showed limited heat throughout the fire area; the hottest spots were observed on the west and southwest sides.