Play It Again, Sam: Forest Fire Erupts Again A Mile From Alcan Border Near Patrol Station
Alcan Fire Sparked by Old Lightning Strike, Highlights Continued Fire Risk BY ALASKA DIVISION OF FORESTRY & FIRE PROTECTION on SEP...
Alcan Fire Sparked by Old Lightning Strike, Highlights Continued Fire Risk
The Alcan Fire (#540) was reported yesterday, August 31st, around 5:30 p.m. Smoke was spotted a little over a mile from the Alcan Border Patrol station on the east side of the Alcan Highway near the Canadian border on the Alaska side. The fire is estimated at 0.5 acres, and a helicopter with a bucket was able to work the area today to extinguish the fire. The cause of this fire has been determined to be natural, likely from a lightning strike from a couple of weeks ago that dried out enough to become visible. The fire is burning in a dense spruce stand with a significant amount of dead and down trees. This combination of fuels from the spruce and the dry, windy weather in eastern Alaska shows that there is still fire potential in the area. Fire managers will continue to work on and monitor this fire after the helicopter has completed its work. There are no other immediate values at risk other than the border patrol station in the immediate area. This fire is a stark reminder that even as we get later into the season, fire potential remains until the area receives widespread, season-ending rain or snow.
