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(Fairbanks, AK) – Yesterday, three crews initially scheduled to continue with mop-up operations along the southern perimeter were committed to the search for our missing firefighter. The missing firefighter was located the evening of Thursday, August 17th around 5:30 pm. He was assessed on scene by incident medical personnel and was transported in stable condition to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital for further assessment. The firefighter was released from the hospital the same evening and is traveling home today. We would like to thank Alaska State Troopers, Alaska State Parks, Wilderness Search and Rescue and PAWS Search and Rescue for their efforts in the search.

Firefighters working on the eastern perimeter reached a depth of 50 feet during mop-up operations. This depth has met the objectives for the 2021 Haystack burn scar but crews will monitor for any remaining pockets of heat within the interior of the fire. With the decrease in fire activity and progress of crews securing the fire perimeter, structure protection equipment is being removed from areas where it is no longer needed.  Throughout the week, firefighters are working on suppression repair for indirect dozer line south of the fire. This repair work is done in coordination with excavators and resource advisors to return the land as close as possible to its natural state. As firefighters meet objectives, equipment will be removed from the fire line and from around structures over the next week.

WEATHER: Expect a mostly cloudy day with temperature in the upper 50s. The chance of precipitation will increase slightly from yesterday, bringing southwest winds of 10 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

EVACUATIONS: The Haystack subdivision remains at a Level 1 (READY). Residents are advised to remain vigilant and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. For more information: Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK | Official Website (fnsb.gov); Find My Neighborhood (arcgis.com)

CLOSURES: Alaska State Parks has closed the Olnes Pond campground to support fire operations. The BLM Eastern Interior Field Office issued an evacuation and closure order for the western portion of the White Mountains National Recreation Area. Alaska Fire Restrictions | Bureau of Land Management (blm.gov).

AIR QUALITY ADVISORY: Any community adjacent to an active fire may experience periods of degraded air quality. For smoke forecast and air quality measures. Fire and Smoke Map (airnow.gov).

TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS (TFR) are in effect until August 26, 2023. For details see: 3/4417 NOTAM Details (tfr.faa.gov).

Public Information: (907) 921- 2555

Media Inquiries: (907) 921- 2554

Email: 2023.LostHorseCreek@firenet.gov 

You Tube: www.youtube.com/AlaskaDNRDOF

www.akfireinfo.com  

www.facebook.com/AK.Forestry 

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