The Fairbanks North Star Borough downgraded evacuation orders for subdivisions near the Himalaya Fire Thursday morning. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a disaster declaration Wednesday to support the Denali Borough’s response and recovery from the Bear Creek Fire.
Evacuation orders for Hayes Creek, Himalaya, Haystack, Leuthold and the Poker Flat Watershed downgraded from a Level 3 “Go” alert to a Level 2 “Set.” Mileposts 16.5–30 of the Elliott Highway remain in a “Set” alert. Residents can return to their properties today but should remain prepared to evacuate if fire conditions change.
A Level 1 “Ready” alert is in effect for At Your Own Risk, Old Chatanika, the Poker Flat Facility and the Chatanika River Corridor.
The Red Cross closed the emergency shelter at Hutchison High School Thursday afternoon due to downgraded evacuation statuses. The emergency animal sheltering station at the Fairbanks North Star Borough Animal Shelter will also close Thursday.
The Himalaya Road Fire remains active and uncontained with some torching. Crews secured perimeters around homes near Haystack Mountain Wednesday. Three helicopters assigned to the Bear Creek Fire supported aerial efforts on Wednesday. Three drones will survey the fire perimeter for heat on Thursday. Crews completed a dozer line around the Aggie Creek Fire and the Washington Creek Fire.
“Dry fuels remain, fire activity continues within the perimeter, and weather conditions can change quickly,” Southwest Incident Commander Matt Rau stated in a news release. “Residents in all impacted areas must stay alert, remain prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice, and understand that evacuation levels may increase again if fire behavior intensifies.”
The Gilmore Trail Fire that started on June 19 is 80% contained, as of Wednesday. A Fairbanks Type 1 Crew and a Yukon Type 2 Crew are working to eliminate unburned fuels and hot spots.
Evacuation orders remain in place in the west side of the Fairbanks North Star Borough and in the Denali Borough. Residents can check fnsb.gov or denaliborough.org for more information.
The Parks Highway and the Elliott Highway remain open, but motorists should expect pilot car escorts and delays. Check 511.alaska.gov for current conditions.
Bear Creek Fire
Gov. Mike Dunleavy declared a state disaster emergency for the Denali Borough in response to the loss of homes in the borough due to the wildland fire. Residents can request individual assistance from the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management from Friday through Aug. 27 on ready.alaska.gov/recovery/IA.
“The men and women of the fire service are truly amazing. They have a tough job which they accomplish with a determined and humble attitude,” Dunleavy stated in a news release Thursday. “While the effort to protect lives and property from wildfire continues, this disaster declaration opens the state’s disaster recovery programs to help communities and families address damages to residential property.”
A Alaska Complex Incident Management Team is managing the 26,047-acre Bear Cree Fire northwest of Healy and the 20,369 Saint George Creek Fire northeast of Healy. Both fires are 0% contained and are threatening homes and infrastructure.
Crews established direct line construction around June Creek subdivision and are improving a dozer line on the north edge of the fire. Fire behavior was smoldering and creeping Thursday. The Saint George Creek Fire received rain Thursday and showed minimal fire behavior.
Power remains out for 24 Golden Valley Electric Association members near Healy and Ferry due to the Bear Creek Fire.
Nenana Ridge Complex
The Nenana Ridge Complex is burning 6,430 acres southwest of Fairbanks. The Bonanza Creek Fire and Goldstream Creek Fire were started by lightning last week. A George Type 3 Team assumed command of the complex Thursday morning.
Scattered showers and high relative humidity brought low fire activity to the fire on Wednesday. Crews are using heavy equipment to install fire breaks around the Bonanza Creek Fire with an Oregon Type 2 hand crew patrolling the perimeter for hot spots. Multiple resources were moved to the Goldstream Creek Fire to determine potential containment line opportunities.
Ninetyeight Fire
The Ninetyeight Fire north of the Salcha River has not shown any growth in several days. Fire behavior showed creeping and smoldering on Wednesday. Smokejumpers strengthened structures and protection of Alaska Native allotments on the east side of the fire on Wednesday. Firefighters are working Thursday to secure the direct fire line from mile 40 east and conduct more structure protection measures.
7 Mile Lookout Group
The Southern Area Grey Team took control of numerous lightning-sparked fires near Tok. The 7 Mile Lookout Fire is burning 1,373 acres and the Tok River Fire is burning an estimated 132 acres. Cooler temperatures and increased moisture reduced fire activity and smoke on Wednesday.
The White Mountain Type 2 Initial Attack and the Clackamas Type 2 Crew are utilizing a two-mile long hose lay to address areas of heat on the 7 Mile Lookout Fire. Crews continue to improve and secure dozer lines.
Evacuation levels remain for neighborhoods near Tok.
