Nelchina/Eureka Fire Crews On The Glenn Highway Are Looking Good As Attend To Black Spruce
Nelchina Glacier Fire: wet weather slows fire, crews focus on containment objectives BY ALASKA DIVISION OF FORESTRY & FIRE PROTECTIO...
Nelchina Glacier Fire: wet weather slows fire, crews focus on containment objectives
Firefighters experienced a quieter operational day on the Nelchina Glacier Fire (#226), located 3 miles south of the Eureka Roadhouse, due to significant rainfall and cold weather. Currently, there are 72 firefighters assigned to the fire. With minimal fire growth thanks to wet and cool conditions, Crews rotated into camp for safety and refurbished fire gear. They utilized this opportunity to improve operational plans and focus on personnel well being after many days of intense firefighting. Despite the wet conditions, crews continue to work towards containment objectives. The Nelchina Glacier Fire is burning predominantly in stands of black spruce, one of the most flammable fuel types in Alaska. Black spruce trees contain resin which is a highly flammable substance made of a few different chemicals. Unlike other spruce species, black spruce trees retain little moisture, even during rainfall. Their needles densely packed with resins ignite and burn readily. Black spruce trees also often have branches which reach close to the ground, allowing flames to spread fast from the ground to the tree tops, significantly increasing fire intensity.
Another significant factor in Alaska’s wildfire landscape is beetle kill. Trees affected by spruce beetles become dry and brittle which increases their potential to ignite and burn quickly. These beetle killed trees, often mixed among healthy stands, can turn a small manageable fire into a large aggressive one due to their dry conditions.
