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Red Flag conditions continue today for the Anderson Complex

WEATHER: A Red Flag Warning remains in effect today for the area impacted by the fires in the Anderson Complex. Temperatures are expected to be in the high 80s with low humidity. Chinook winds with sustained speeds of 20 to 30 mph out of the south are still in the forecast until Monday. These conditions coupled with already dry fuels will once again set the stage for increased fire activity and rapid growth.

FIRE UPDATE: Yesterday’s strong winds and hot, dry conditions drove extreme fire behavior on the Anderson Complex. The Teklanika River Fire (#257) is estimated at 9,812 acres, the Birch Creek Fire (#285) is estimated at 6,307 acres, and the Shores Landing Fire (#325) is estimated at 2,110 acres. All three fires produced large smoke columns. The Shores Landing Fire reached the banks of the Teklanika River overnight. The same level of fire activity is predicted for today.

The Midnight Sun Hotshots started the pumps and sprinklers they had set up around structures and allotments along the Teklanika River. Then the crew moved a safe distance away to monitor the movement of the Teklanika River and Shores Landing fires. Today the crew will remain in place and look for opportunities to improve the work they’ve done to protect structures and allotments.

Wildand firefighters from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Kenai are putting the finishing touches on fuel breaks around the City of Anderson with the help of heavy equipment operators. They are testing pumps, hoses and sprinklers set up in the breaks to ensure they work. Fire crews from Clear Force Space Station are still working with crews in Anderson to improve and widen fuel breaks where needed. Some of the heavy equipment is expected to move south today to support operations in the North Forties.

Engine crews from Nenana and McKinley continue to work with the Nulato Hills Wildland hand crew and a dozer in and around Nenana. They are tasked with identifying and building contingency lines to protect the city and residents living to the south of Nenana along the Parks Highway.

The Shasta Lake Hotshots also switched on pumps and sprinklers yesterday as the Birch Fire moved north toward structures. The crew moved into the 2022 Clear Fire burned area

as a precaution while monitoring the fire’s movement. Today they will maintain structure protection measures they’ve implemented in the Clear Sky homestead and Rose Hip Creek area. 

Firefighters from Kobe, Anderson, Northstar, the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire and the K River 1 hand crew are still assigned to the Kobe Group. They worked on structure protection in the North Forties and Kobe Ag subdivisions yesterday. They have re-opened a dozer line north of the North Forties from the 2022 Clear Fire and are looking at other options to defend the community from fire.

The Parks Highway continues to develop plans for protecting structures along the corridor. The group is working from Tri-Valley to Nenana. 

The Anderson Complex includes the Teklanika River Fire (#257), Birch Creek Fire (#285), Shores Landing Fire (#325), Kobe Road Fire (#297), Nenana River Fire (#288), and Nenana River Fire 2 (#289). The Kobe Road Fire is contained and controlled. The Nenana River and Nenana River 2 fires continue to show minimal activity. 

EVACUATION STATUS: 

Areas in GO status include:

• The Teklanika River and all residents along the Teklanika River
• 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:

• The City of Anderson
• 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 City of 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
• 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.