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WILDFIRE UPDATE - Delta Area

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

Monday - August 21, 2023

Backhaul of equipment continues as firefighters complete more operational objectives

Firefighters are making good progress with mop up operations. As portions of the fire are secured “backhaul,” the packaging and removal of supplies and equipment from the fireline, is added to the list of remaining tasks. Necessary firefighting equipment is left in place while items which have served their purpose, such as pumps, hose, sprinklers and other structure protection supplies, need to be accounted for and removed from the fire area. These backhauled items will be sent back to the State warehouse system to be cleaned, inventoried, and restocked for the next fire.

Pogo Mine Road Fire (#191) – 48,745 acres | 151 personnel | 12 miles NW of Delta

The UAS module flew the Shaw Creek corridor and found lingering heat, which poses no threat to structures or containment. North Pacific crew continues bone piling north of the Pogo Mine Road while the Tongass Fire Suppression Module works on bone piling to the south. Franco Reforestation crew should complete mop up of the portion of the fire that spotted over the Alyeska Pipeline today, then move to the southern tip of the fire and join Chena Hotshots to construct fire line around areas of unburned fuel and secure edge. Smokejumpers continue assessing Quartz Lake to help homeowners create defensible space around structures for the next few shifts. The road group is using heavy equipment to remove downed and hazard trees along Pogo Mine Road to keep it passable and safe.

Mount Hayes Fire (#299) – 6,720 acres | 23 personnel | 7 miles SE of Deltana

No growth on the fire over the last week. The fire is currently being monitored by air. Sierra Hotshots completed cabin protection at Lisa Lake and will leave the fire for reassignment today.

Weather: Rain likely in the morning, then tapering off to scattered showers in the afternoon. Overcast skies with cooler temperatures and higher humidity through Tuesday.

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

Fire Information: Phone number: (907) 921-7852 / Fire Info website: AkFireInfo.com