Single Publication

Lost Horse Creek Fire Update 
August 6, 2023 
Incident Commander: Peter Butteri 

Start Date: July 28, 2023                           
Location: 22 miles N of Fairbanks, AK 
Cause: Lightning/Natural                               
Fire Size: 3,979 acres 
Containment: 0%     
Total Personnel: 126 

(Fairbanks, AK) – The bulldozed control line is holding between the Lost Horse Creek Fire (#296) and the Haystack subdivision. Crews continue to extend the line to the east toward the Caribou Creek drainage as the fire burns northeast into the 2021 Haystack Fire scar. The control line is also being strengthened west from the fuel break to secure the southern edge of the fire. Structure assessment and protection is continuing in the Haystack subdivision and two smokejumpers are installing protective wrap around the Moose Creek cabin in the White Mountains National Recreation Area (see closure section below).  

Fire activity is expected to increase as warm, dry weather continues. A Red Flag Warning is in effect today for portions of the western Interior, Alaska Range, and Copper River Basin (see: Alaska Fire Weather Watch/Warning Information). This includes the communities of Tanana, Anderson Healy, Delta Junction, Fairbanks, Salcha, Paxon, and Glennallen.  

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 next week. 

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: 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 last night 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: An air quality advisory (Air Quality Advisories/Episodes (alaska.gov) is in effect for central and eastern Alaska until Sunday, August 6, 2023 at 10:00 am. Air Quality will vary between Good and Very Unhealthy depending on the location relative to the fires and wind flow in/around the fires. For more information, 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) 

See the Ops video here: Lost Horse Creek Fire Operations Update for Sunday, August 6 - YouTube

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