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WILDFIRE UPDATE - Delta Area

Pogo Mine Road Fire (#191) & Mount Hayes Fire (#299)

Sunday - August 13, 2023

Air support cools hot spots during steady winds, 2 hotshot crews join the effort.

Helicopters and fixed wing aircraft dropped water throughout the day to help keep the Pogo Mine Road Fire in check as steady southeast winds blew through the fire area. Dozers constructed an additional three miles of control lines for stronger point protection. A structure protection plan was developed for cabins on the Mount Hayes Fire with the help of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or drones. Resource numbers continue to increase with Arroyo Grande and Sierra Hotshots arriving from California to help with management objectives.

Pogo Mine Road Fire (#191) – 47,136 acres | 127 personnel | 12 miles NW of Delta

With steady winds leading to active surface fire and group tree torching, a constant barrage of water from firefighting aircraft helped keep the fire from spreading. Helicopters dipped from 81 Mile Pond, while Fire Bosses and Super Scoopers dipped water from Quartz and Harding lakes. The water drops were focused on hot spots along the southwest portion of the fire to protect structures and keep the fire east of the pipeline during sustained winds of 15 miles per hour and 25 miles per hour gusts. Firefighters remained near structures and continued securing the fire perimeter near values at risk. Dozers built control lines to further protect structures.

Mount Hayes Fire (#299) – 7,085 acres |  75 personnel | 7 miles SE of Deltana

A structure plan has been developed to protect three cabins (Donna, Little Donna, and Lisa lakes) east of the Gerstle River. Control lines from Bison Fields to the Gerstle River are completed and plumbed with a hoselay. When fuel conditions are receptive, fire managers are planning on implementing a burnout between control lines and the main fire. This lightning-caused wildfire is being managed for multiple objectives, including using fire for habitat restoration and keeping the fire from crossing the Alaska Highway.

Weather: Steady southeast winds blew through the fire area Saturday morning and into Sunday. These winds are expected to decrease this evening. High temperatures will be in the low 70s with minimum relative humidity around 35 percent. Scattered rain showers are possible today.

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place for the fires, pilots please check NOTAMs.

Fire Information: Phone number: 541-977-2756 / Fire Info website: AkFireInfo.com  

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