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Anderson Complex fire crews make most of cool, wet weather 

FIRE UPDATE: Firefighters assigned to the Anderson Complex have been able to complete a number of critical assignments thanks to three days of cooler weather and measurable rainfall. The weather has reduced fire activity, allowing Great Basin Team 3 to move crews to other areas within the complex or make them available for reassignment to other fires around the state. There has been no significant change in acreage in several days. 

A Franco Reforestation Type 2 crew is continuing to protect structures and allotments along the Teklanika River corridor. The goal is to defend them from the Teklanika River Fire (#257) and Shores Landing Fire (#325). The crew is also extinguishing or removing burning vegetation near control lines, felling trees that have been damaged in the fire, and cooling off ash pits. This hard, dirty work helps reduce smoke and prevents additional fire spread. 

Yesterday, the Nulato Hills Wildland hand crew was able to create defensible space around the Nenana South Cemetery. The crew cleared brush away from the cemetery’s perimeter and removed low hanging limbs from trees. The work was done with guidance from local resource advisors who are assigned to the Anderson Complex. It should help the cemetery remain intact if fire was to threaten it.  

The Anderson and Nenana groups have been combined today. They will use a masticator to improve the fuel break near 1st Street and 2nd Street in Anderson. They will also evaluate all structure protection measures and identify firefighting equipment like sprinklers, hoses and pumps to determine what should remain in place until the Shores Landing and Teklanika River fires are contained and controlled.  

The crews assigned to the Anderson-Nenana Group include wildland firefighters from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), the Alaska National Guard, Nenana, Kenai. In addition to their assigned work for today they are designated to respond to any new fires that start within the Anderson Complex. Firefighters from Clear Space Force Station will also assist with initial attack on any new starts. 

The Shasta Lake Hotshots are still finding and extinguishing hotspots from the Birch Creek Fire (#285) in the Rose Hip Creek and Clear Sky areas. The crew is routinely checking the pumps, hoses and sprinklers they put in place to protect structures in the area to ensure they are still working. They will continue with mop up and structure protection today. 

Crews from Kobe, Anderson, Northstar, the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire, K River 1 and Franco Reforestation are working alongside masticators and other heavy equipment to protect structures in the North Forties and Kobe Ag subdivisions. Dozer lines are in place to the north and east of the North Forties. Today crews will improve those lines and start assessing which pumps, hoses and sprinklers need to stay in place. 

Firefighters are hoping today’s weather will clear up enough to allow another recon flight around the Rock Creek Fire (#287). They have already identified structures and allotments that may be threatened by the fire, depending on its direction of spread. Additional firefighting resources and improved communications for crews are needed before personnel can be put on the ground to defend the identified values at risk. 

The Anderson Complex includes the Teklanika River Fire (#257), Birch Creek Fire (#285), Shores Landing Fire (#325), Rock Creek Fire (#287), Bear Creek Fire (#287), Kobe Road Fire (#297), Nenana River Fire (#288), and Nenana River 2 Fire (#289). 

WEATHER: The National Weather Service has again issued a Dense Smoke Advisory. For more information about wildfire smoke visit https://akfireinfo.com/smoke-management/. Firefighting aircraft may be grounded due to reduced visibility. Higher humidity and a chance of rain are predicted again today. This should keep fire activity to a minimum. There is a chance for thunderstorms in the afternoon that may bring lightning.  

EVACUATION STATUS: Areas in GO status include the Teklanika River and all residents along the Teklanika River and all residents in Clear Sky homestead (not the Clear Sky Lodge) and residents adjacent to Rose Hip Creek. Individuals in this area should evacuate now. Do not delay. The Tri-Valley School is available for evacuation parking and will be available as an evacuation center, if needed.  

Areas in SET status include all residents who use any road west of the George Parks Highway between milepost 270 and the Rex Bridge. Individuals in this area should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. 

 Areas in READY status include the cities of Anderson and Nenana; residents who access their property off the George Parks Highway corridor between milepost 288 and milepost 306; residents who access their property from the west side of the George Parks Highway between milepost 266 and milepost 270, including June Creek and Bear Creek; and residents who access their property off the Parks Highway corridor from the Rex Bridge to milepost 280. Individuals in this area should be ready for possible evacuation.  

Visit the Denali Borough website for additional information.