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Anderson Complex crews end threat to 60% of structures, allotments

At the end of yesterday’s shift firefighters assigned to the Anderson Complex had ended the threat to 60 percent of structures and allotments that were initially endangered by the fires in the complex. Crews are still taking steps to protect any structures or allotments that remain threatened by fire. 

For the third consecutive day a Blackhawk helicopter was used yesterday to drop water on hotspots along the northern side of the Shores Landing Fire (#325). The fire continues to be most active during the afternoon but has not seen significant growth. Firefighters have created defensible space around one allotment northeast of the fire and are working today around a second allotment to protect it.

Crews in the area of the Teklanika River Fire (#257) are extinguishing smoldering vegetation and felling fire-damaged trees to reduce risk to firefighters and the public. They are maintaining structure protection measures where they are still needed; however, pumps, hoses, and sprinklers that are excess are being removed for return to the fire cache.

Firefighters in the Anderson-Nenana Group and Kobe-Birch Group are also disassembling pumps, hoses and sprinklers that are no longer needed so they can be returned to the cache for inspection, cleaning and any needed repairs. Firefighting equipment that is still needed to protect threatened structures is not being removed.

Crews in Anderson, the North Forties and Kobe Ag subdivisions are also engaged in suppression repair. Their goal is to reduce the potential impacts of firefighting efforts. Firefighters working in Rose Hip Creek and Clear Sky homestead continue to fell fire-damaged trees to reduce risks to firefighters and the public. They are also removing firefighting equipment that is no longer needed.

 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). The fires now have a combined acreage of 58,933 acres. The increase from the last reported acreage is due to more precise mapping based on satellite data and moderate fire activity over the past several days. The fires that saw a change in reported acres were the Rock Creek Fire (+7,702 acres); Shores Landing Fire (+269 acres); Teklanika River Fire (+135 acres) and Bear Creek Fire (+132 acres).

WEATHER: Today’s forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with a possibility of afternoon rain and thunderstorms. Temperatures have begun cooling off, which daytime highs expected to be in the low to mid 60s by the end of the week. Relative humidity is increasing. Fire activity is expected to be moderate to minimal under these conditions.

EVACUATIONS: The Teklanika River and all residents along the Teklanika River remain in evacuation status GO. 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.

The Rose Hip Creek area and Clear Sky homestead are in evacuation status SET. Individuals in this area should be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice if necessary. Those re-entering burned areas should be aware of possible hazards, including fire-damaged trees, ash pits, smoldering stumps or logs, and the potential for flash flooding. Firefighters will still be in the area. Please give them room to work.

The City of Anderson, the North Forties subdivision, and Kobe Ag subdivision are in evacuation status READY. Individuals in this area should remain ready for possible evacuation.

Visit the Denali Borough website for additional information.

CLOSURE: The City of Anderson has closed the shooting range until further notice for firefighter and public safety. Firefighters are working in the area for the next several days. The campground and playground are open.