Single Publication

Lost Horse Creek Fire Update

August 7, 2023

Incident Commander: Peter Butteri

Start Date: July 28, 2023                               
Location: 22 miles N of Fairbanks, AK
Cause: Lightning/Natural                                                               
Fire Size: 8,281 acres
Containment: 0%                                                                              
Total Personnel: 169

(Fairbanks, AK) – Firefighters on the Lost Horse Creek Fire (#296) continue to extend the control line along the southern edge and are scouting the best locations for contingency lines. Structure assessment and protection was completed along Sharmon Court and fuels reduction and structure protection is in progress on Middle Fork Road. Structure protection in the White Mountains National Recreation Area has been completed on the Moose Creek cabin and Lee’s cabin, Eleazar’s cabin is being monitored (see closure section below).

The heavy smoke layer kept air stable during the Red Flag conditions yesterday. Today there is a possibility of thunderstorms with light west-southwest winds. Cooler temperatures and cloud cover is expected early this week.

The Alaska Team is managing six additional fires: the Sargent Creek Fire (#255), Our Creek Fire (#271), Murphy Creek Fire (#320), Treasure Creek (#265), Olnes Pond (#250), and Hayes Creek (#266). These fires are currently in stages of mop up and monitoring and are expected to be contained by the end of the week.

COMMUNITY MEETING: Please join us for a community meeting on Tuesday, August 8 at 6:30 pm at the Haystack Mountain Laundry and Showers parking lot (5001 Haystack Drive). The meeting will be in person and posted on Facebook.

EVACUATIONS: The “GO” level evacuation notice issued by the  Fairbanks North Star Borough (Find My Neighborhood (arcgis.com) remains in effect for Upper Haystack Drive, including Sharmon Court and all of Middle Fork Road in the Haystack subdivision.

CLOSURES: Alaska State Parks has closed the Olnes Pond campground to support fire operations. The Bureau of Land Management, Eastern Interior Field Office issued an evacuation and closure order for the western portion of the White Mountains National Recreation Area effective midnight on August 6 until September 1, unless modified. The evacuation and closure includes trails, public use cabins, trail shelters, and the Wickersham Dome Trailhead near Elliott Highway mile 28, which may be used by firefighters. See: Alaska Fire Restrictions | Bureau of Land Management (blm.gov)

AIR QUALITY ADVISORY: With active fires in Interior Alaska, smoke remains a concern for Delta Junction, Nenana, Fairbanks, Livengood, Central, and the surrounding area. Be aware of conditions and limit your exposure.  For smoke forecast and air quality measures, see the Fairbanks North Star Borough air quality map (FNSB Air Quality Monitor (arcgis.com).

TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS (TFR) are in effect until September 1, 2023. For details, see: 3/6714 NOTAM Details (faa.gov)

Public Information: (907) 921- 2555       
Media Inquiries: (907) 921- 2554

Email: 2023.LostHorseCreek@firenet.gov   
You Tube: Lost Horse Creek Fire #296 - YouTube

www.akfireinfo.com  ♦  www.facebook.com/AK.Forestry  ♦  tinyurl.com/LostHorseCreekInciweb