Forest Fires Continue North Of The Copper Valley This August
Delta Junction Is The Next Town Up The Richardson From The Copper River Valley ...And It's Still Battling Forest Fires Site of Pogo Mi...
Delta Junction Is The Next Town Up The Richardson From The Copper River Valley
...And It's Still Battling Forest Fires
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| Site of Pogo Mine Forest Fire, August 12, 2023. (Google Maps) |
Hot, dry and windy weather forecasted to bring increased fire activity to the Interior this weekend
Warmer and drier conditions are expected for the weekend and a wind event will bring near Red Flag conditions to the northern Interior. An increase in fire behavior is anticipated. Additional resources are getting into place in Alaska to prepare for crews and other personnel timing out on their assignments. An air quality advisory remains in effect for central and eastern Alaska through Sunday morning. The rains the past few days have kept a majority of the fires from spreading but smoke production is still occurring. Forecasted winds over the weekend should help clear smoke from the areas but will also likely increase fire activity and smoke production. There are currently 153 active fires: 52 in critical or full protection and 101 in limited management zones. 274,430 acres have burned statewide.
HIGHLIGHTED FIRE ACTIVITY
Lost Horse Creek (#296) – [9,505 acres | 12% contained] North of Old Murphy Dome Road, 3.5 miles east of Mile 18 Elliot Highway. Work continued with construction of an indirect line on the southern side off the fire. Progress is being made towards containment on the south and southeast portions of the perimeter. Evacuation levels remain in place from the Fairbanks North Star Borough. (316 Personnel)
Anderson Complex (#899) – [50,830 acres | 37% contained] Anderson-Clear area.Higher winds are expected over the weekend that should help clear smoke out of the fire area and will also make fuels more available to burn. Resources continue to secure hot spots and the fire edge around structures and will be prepared to implement defensive actions if necessary. The Denali Borough lowered the evacuation status to “Ready” for the Kobe AG, North Forties subdivisions and the city of Anderson. (251 personnel)
McCoy Creek (#201) – [13,702 acres] River mile 29, Salcha River. There was no significant growth on the fire yesterday. Structure protection, mop up, and contingency line implementation continues. Evacuation levels remain in place from the Fairbanks North Star Borough. (158 personnel)
Pogo Mine Road (#191) – [47,136 acres | 1% contained] 9 miles down Pogo Road. Fire behavior moderated due to precipitation over the fire area. Crews continue important work to keep the Pogo Mine Road open and are taking advantage of opportunities to mop up, improve control lines and secure around values at risk. (46 personnel)
Sand Lake (#261) – [123 acres | 35% contained] 6 miles northwest of Dot Lake. No new growth on the fire perimeter. Crews continue to improve control lines on the north side and east flank. (64 personnel)
Mosquito Creek (#290) – [35 acres | 50% contained] 5 miles east of Harding Lake. Personnel continued to burn excess fuel in the interior of the fire, gridding for heat and building a 50 foot saw line on both flanks. (33 personnel)
Mount Hayes (#299) – [7,085 acres] 24 miles southeast of Delta Junction. The fire received some precipitation today which helped limit growth. Resources will continue to work on structure protection, dozer line, and hose lay. (66 personnel)
