Single Publication

Size:  172,236 

Personnel:  118 

Start Date: June 8, 2024 

Cause:  Lightning 

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Fire managers conducted an aerial survey of the fire and mop-up operations in the 5 Mile Creek Area on Tuesday. The diligent efforts of firefighters to protect valuable areas from the fire are evident. The only visible smoke near these areas comes from fire crews burning piles to further secure the line.  

Helicopters with sling loads and local boats have been essential in transporting crews and supplies to and from the fireline. The logistics team began demobilizing excess supplies and assessing the backhaul for transport back to the fire cache in Fairbanks. Crews will remain on the fire mopping up in the 5 Mile Creek Area until pre-identified standards are met.  

Weather: Wednesday will be mostly sunny with a high near 73 with a slight east wind at 5 mph. There’s a 10% chance of precipitation, with scattered showers starting in the evening and continuing into Thursday.  

Evacuation Notices: A Level 2: SET evacuation notice is in effect for about 21 cabins near the fire’s southeastern edge west of the Tanana River. Communities east of the Tanana River are in READY status, including the Johnson Road neighborhoods, Canaday, Harding Lake, Salcha, the Lower Salcha River, Hollies Acres, and south to Birch Lake. Find more information and an interactive map of these areas on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Services website. 

Temporary Flight Restriction: The temporary flight restriction (TFR) has been adjusted based on public input to give float plane access to Harding Lake. Be aware helicopter operations to support the fire still continue in the area. Visit tfr.faa.gov for more information. 

-BLM- 

Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Service, P.O. Box 35005, 1541 Gaffney Road, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703 

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The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (AFS) located at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, provides wildland fire suppression services for over 240 million acres of Department of the Interior and Native Corporation Lands in Alaska. In addition, AFS has other statewide responsibilities that include: interpretation of fire management policy; oversight of the BLM Alaska Aviation program; fuels management projects; and operating and maintaining advanced communication and computer systems such as the Alaska Lightning Detection System. AFS also maintains a National Incident Support Cache with a $18.1 million inventory. The Alaska Fire Service provides wildland fire suppression services for America’s “Last Frontier” on an interagency basis with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Military in Alaska.