Total Acres: 57,993 - Yukon Creek (12,489), Marshall Mountain (0.3), Central Creek (4,050), Central Creek Airstrip (6,978), Porcupine Creek (12,391), South Fork (3,785), Gold Hub (16,062), California Creek (700), Gilles Creek (1.538)

Start Date: Various | Cause: Lightning

Location: Northeast of Delta Junction | Fuels: Timber, grass, understory, and brush

Highlights:  Rains across the Middle Tanana Complex have reduced activity on the fires burning in the areas of Shaw Creek, Salcha, and Goodpaster rivers. Evacuation notices are reduced to Level 1 "Ready" for all areas in the complex, including the unincorporated areas near Delta Junction. Property owners are advised to stay alert as a change in fire activity may cause a change in evacuation status.

A virtual public meeting will be held tonight, Friday, July 15, at 7:30 pm. It will be broadcast on the local KDHS Radio 95.5 FM and recorded and posted to the AK DNR Division of Forestry Facebook page after the meeting. The recording link will be available on the incident's InciWeb page https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8201/.

Operations: The smokejumpers came off the Salcha River yesterday. The Spotted Bear wildland fire module is continuing to monitor and improve structure protection efforts, checking pumps, hoses, and sprinkler systems along the river corridor.

Along Shaw Creek Road towards the Pogo Mine, the Yukon wildland fire module is monitoring and patrolling the area and ensuring the power lines and travel to the mine remain unaffected.

Near the South Fork Fire along the lower Goodpaster River corridor, the Kaniksu wildland fire module will continue implementing structure protection around cabins and buildings on the north side from river mile 26 to the confluence with the South Fork Goodpaster River.

The Porcupine, Gilles, Marshall Mountain, and California Creek fires are being monitored.

Evacuations:  The following locations are in READY status:  The residents off the road system and recreational cabins in the Lower Salcha River, Middle Salcha River, and Upper Salcha River Zones;  along the Goodpaster River from river mile 0 to river mile 8.6, and river mile 8.6 to river mile 33.9; from the confluence with the South Fork Goodpaster River to Seven Mile Creek; the group of cabins along the Goodpaster River at the mouth of Central Creek;  Shaw Creek Road and the Pogo Mine area.

Weather:  A trough will move across the state tonight, bringing rain back to the complex.  Rain on the fires is expected to begin this evening. Today, temperatures will be in the mid-60s and minimum relative humidity in the 30s. The extended weather forecast remains above average for moisture with below average temperatures.

Temporary Flight Restrictions:  Temporary Flight Restrictions are in place over the Gold Hub Fire. Flight restrictions are for any aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can't!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 14, 2022

Evacuation statuses reduced within the Middle Tanana Complex

(Fairbanks, AK) – Rains across the Middle Tanana Complex have reduced fire activity on the nine fires burning in the areas of Salcha, Shaw, and Goodpaster rivers. Evacuation notices are being reduced to Level 1 Ready for all areas in the complex, including the unincorporated areas near Delta Junction.

Along the Goodpaster River, these are now in place:
 
     • The Goodpaster River corridor from river mile 0 to 8.6 is remains in Level 1 “Ready” status due to the proximity of the South Fork Fire (#427).
     • The Goodpaster River corridor from river mile 8.6 to 33.9 is reduced to Level 1 “Ready” status due to the proximity of the South Fork Fire (#427).
     • The Goodpaster River corridor from the confluence with the South Fork Goodpaster River to Seven Mile Creek remains in Level 1 “Ready” status due to the proximity of the Central Creek Fire (#437) and Central Creek Airstrip Fire (#295).
     • The group of cabins along the Goodpaster River at the mouth of Central Creek are reduced to Level 1 “Ready” status due to the proximity of the Central Creek Fire (#437) and Central Creek Airstrip Fire (#295).

The Shaw Creek Road and the Pogo Mine area remain in Level 1 “Ready” status due to the proximity of the Gold Hub Fire (#455).

Level 1 Ready means “Be Ready” for potential evacuation. Prepare your belongings and monitor social media, news, and radio information.

Level 2 Set means “Be Set” to evacuate and prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. This status signifies there is a significant danger in your area.

Level 3 "Go" means evacuate now, take your belongings and your pets, and leave immediately.

The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection, in coordination with the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, implemented these evacuation notices. The Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 3 is managing the Middle Tanana Complex.

For information on the Middle Tanana Complex visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8201/ or https://akfireinfo.com/tag/middle-tanana-complex/

For more information regarding “Ready, Set, Go,” visit https://gacc.nifc.gov/gbcc/dispatch/ut?cdc/prevention/doc/ready_set_go.pdf

Contact: Sam Harrel, DOF Information Officer, (907) 356-5512, sam.harrel@alaska.gov

 Click on the link below to watch the Operational Briefing for July 9, 2022 with Planning Operations Section Chief Keith Brink.

Total Acres: 57,934 - Yukon Creek (12,489), Marshall Mountain (0.3), Central Creek (4,050), Central Creek Airstrip (6,978), Porcupine Creek (12,115), South Fork (2,779), Gold Hub (10,694), California Creek (700), Gilles Creek (471)

Start Date: Various | Cause: Lightning

Location: Northeast of Delta Junction | Fuels: Timber, grass, understory, and brush

Highlights: The fires across the Middle Tanana Complex have received substantial precipitation over the last several days. All fires have shown little activity with the lower temperatures and higher humidity levels. 

A virtual public meeting will be held on Friday, July 15, at 7:30 pm. It will be broadcast on the local KDHS Radio 95.5 FM and recorded and posted to the AK DNR Division of Forestry Facebook page after the meeting. 

Operations: The Spotted Bear wildland fire module, which specializes in wilderness firefighting, joined the smokejumpers that have been working up the Salcha River on structure protection. The structure protection work done on cabins on the north side of the Salcha River around Butte and Flat Creeks is almost complete. This work has included clearing brush, trees, and flammable materials around structures and setting up sprinkler systems. The module will continue to patrol and monitor the area, and the smokejumpers will boat out this weekend.

Along Shaw Creek Road towards the Pogo Mine, the Yukon wildland fire module is monitoring and patrolling the area and ensuring the power lines that run to the mine remain unaffected. Last night, crews took a helicopter flight into the Central Creek Airstrip Fire to check the sprinkler systems and pumps around structures.

Near the South Fork Fire along the lower Goodpaster River corridor, the Kaniksu wildland fire module replaced the Crane Valley hotshots. The new crew will continue implementing structure protection around cabins and buildings on the north side from river mile 26 to the confluence with the South Fork Goodpaster River.

The Porcupine, Gilles, Marshall Mountain, and California Creek fires are being monitored.

Evacuations: On the Goodpaster River, mile 0 to river mile 8.6 is now in READY status. River mile 8.6 to river mile 33.9 is in SET status. From the confluence with the South Fork Goodpaster River to Seven Mile Creek is in READY. The group of cabins along the Goodpaster River at the mouth of Central Creek is in SET status. Shaw Creek Road and the Pogo Mine area are in READY status. The residents off the road system and recreational cabins in the Middle Salcha River and Upper Salcha River Zones are in SET status. The Lower Salcha River remains in READY. When evacuation status changes, we will work with emergency management staff to make those announcements. 

Weather: Over the next few days an unsettled weather pattern will bring wind gusts around 11-14 mph. Temperatures will be about 10 degrees cooler than they have been, and isolated rain showers will continue. The 8–14 day weather forecast remains above average for moisture with below average temperatures.

Temporary Flight Restrictions:  Temporary Flight Restrictions are in place over the Gold Hub Fire. Flight restrictions are for any aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can't!

Total Acres: 57,934 - Yukon Creek (12,489), Marshall Mountain (0.3), Central Creek (4,050), Central Creek Airstrip (6,978), Porcupine Creek (12,115), South Fork (2,779), Gold Hub (10,694), California Creek (700), Gilles Creek (471)

Start Date: Various | Cause: Lightning

Location: Northeast of Delta Junction | Fuels: Timber, grass, understory, and brush

Highlights: An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), or drone, was assigned to the Middle Tanana Complex. The UAS comes with a team that controls the machine from the ground and operates the system it connects to. Yesterday the UAS was used for mapping the Gold Hub and Central Creek fires using infrared technology. Since the crew must have a direct line of sight with the drone, the remote fires without direct access could not be mapped.

Operations: Smokejumpers working on the north side of the Salcha River near the Yukon Creek Fire completed their structure protection work on cabins between Butte Creek and Flat Creek. Crews will patrol and monitor the area.

Along Shaw Creek Road towards the Pogo Mine, fire personnel are looking for natural features to check the Gold Hub Fire should it become active again. Several days ago, the Central Creek Fire spotted across Shaw Creek Road near mile 40. Over the last few days, firefighters scouted the area, identified, and extinguished six to ten found spot fires. The main fire did not cross the road, and firefighters continue work to protect the adjacent powerlines and scout for future opportunities to stop the Central Creek Fire. When the weather allows, crews will fly into the Central Creek Airstrip Fire to check the sprinkler systems and pumps around structures.

Near the South Fork Fire along the lower Goodpaster River corridor, firefighters will continue implementing structure protection around cabins and buildings. This work continues on the north side from river mile 26 to the confluence with the South Fork Goodpaster River.

The Porcupine, Gilles, Marshall Mountain, and California Creek fires are being monitored.

Evacuations: On the Goodpaster River, mile 0 to river mile 8.6 is now in READY status. River mile 8.6 to river mile 33.9 is in SET status. From the confluence with the South Fork Goodpaster River to Seven Mile Creek is in READY. The group of cabins along the Goodpaster River at the mouth of Central Creek is in SET status. Shaw Creek Road and the Pogo Mine area are in READY status. The residents off the road system and recreational cabins in the Middle Salcha River and Upper Salcha River Zones are in SET status. The Lower Salcha River remains in READY. When evacuation status changes, we will work with emergency management staff to make those announcements. 

Weather: The next several days will be cool with temperatures in the low 70s, humidity staying above 35%, and with winds generally under 20 mph.  Expect mostly cloudy conditions to persist for the next 5-7 days with below average temperatures.

Temporary Flight Restrictions:  Temporary Flight Restrictions are in place over the Gold Hub Fire. Flight restrictions are for any aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can't!

 Click on the link below to watch the Operational Briefing for the Middle Tanana Complex for Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Total Acres: 57,934 - Yukon Creek (12,489), Marshall Mountain (0.3), Central Creek (4,050), Central Creek Airstrip (6,978), Porcupine Creek (12,115), South Fork (2,779), Gold Hub (10,694), California Creek (700), Gilles Creek (471)

Start Date: Various | Cause: Lightning

Location: Northeast of Delta Junction | Fuels: Timber, grass, understory, and brush

Highlights: Helicopters are supporting firefighting efforts on the Middle Tanana Complex as weather and visibility allow. They are assisting with sling loads, cargo missions, and moving firefighters. Less rain fell over the fire area yesterday. Still, temperatures remained cool and the relative humidity was in the 30s resulting in minimal fire movement. 

Operations: Smokejumpers working on the north side of the Salcha River near the Yukon Creek Fire moved west to work on cabins near Flat Creek. They begin installing hoses and pumps and removing flammable materials and hazardous fuels. 

Up Shaw Creek Road towards the Pogo Mine, fire personnel are scouting for natural features to check the Gold Hub Fire should it become active again. A wildland fire module specializing in wilderness firefighting is working around mile 40 of Shaw Creek Road to protect the adjacent powerlines and scout for future opportunities to stop the Central Creek Fire. Minimizing impacts on the mine by maintaining power and access are priorities.

In the lower Goodpaster River corridor, the Crane Valley Hotshots continue to implement structure protection around cabins and buildings on the north side from river mile 26 to the confluence with the South Fork Goodpaster River. Weather permitting, crews plan to fly in today to check the sprinkler systems and pumps and monitor the fire activity around the Central Creek Airstrip. 

The Porcupine, Gilles, Marshall Mountain, and California Creek fires are being monitored.

Evacuations: On the Goodpaster River, mile 0 to river mile 8.6 is now in READY status. River mile 8.6 to river mile 33.9 is in SET status. From the confluence with the South Fork Goodpaster River to Seven Mile Creek is in READY. The group of cabins along the Goodpaster River at the mouth of Central Creek is in SET status.

Shaw Creek Road and the Pogo Mine area are in READY status.

The residents off the road system and recreational cabins in the Middle Salcha River and Upper Salcha River Zones are in SET status. The Lower Salcha River remains in READY. When evacuation status changes, we will work with emergency management staff to make those announcements. 

Weather: Isolated rain showers will continue through the week, and temperatures will drop as a cold front moves in overnight. Temperatures are expected to stay below average throughout the week with ample cloud cover, which will continue to moderate fire behavior. 

Temporary Flight Restrictions:  Temporary Flight Restrictions are in place over the Gold Hub Fire. Flight restrictions are for any aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can't!

Total Acres: 57,934 - Yukon Creek (12,489), Marshall Mountain (0.3), Central Creek (4,050), Central Creek Airstrip (6,978), Porcupine Creek (12,115), South Fork (2,779), Gold Hub (10,694), California Creek (700), Gilles Creek (471) | Start Date: Various | Cause: Lightning | Location: Northeast of Delta Junction | Fuels: Timber, grass, understory, and brush

Operations: Smokejumpers have completed structure protection measures at cabins near Butte Creek in the Salcha River corridor. They are moving downriver to work on the structures near Flat Creek and begin installing hoses and pumps, removing flammable materials and hazardous fuels.

The Central Creek and Gold Hub fires are impacting Shaw Creek Road and adjacent powerlines. Yesterday on the southwest side of the Gold Hub Fire, heavy equipment operators constructed a dozer line from Shaw Creek Road to Shaw Creek. Fire personnel scouted potential locations for a dozer line on the fire's northeast side to try to stop it from moving further. Maintaining power and access to the mine are high priorities.

In the lower Goodpaster River corridor, the Crane Valley Hotshots continued implementing structure protection around cabins and buildings near the South Fork Fire. Near the Central Creek Airstrip Fire in the upper Goodpaster River corridor, the fire has moved closer to the unoccupied structures at the mouth of Central Creek. Crews continue to fly in periodically and check the sprinkler systems and pumps to ensure they are still operational. The Porcupine, Gilles, Marshall Mountain, and California Creek fires are being monitored.

Evacuations: On the Goodpaster River, mile 0 to river mile 8.6 is now in READY status. River mile 8.6 to river mile 33.9 is in SET status. From the confluence with the South Fork Goodpaster River to Seven Mile Creek is in READY. The group of cabins along the Goodpaster River at the mouth of Central Creek is in SET status.

Shaw Creek Road and the Pogo Mine area are in Ready status.

The residents off the road system and recreational cabins in the Middle Salcha River and Upper Salcha River Zones are in SET status. The Lower Salcha River remains in READY. When evacuation status changes, we will work with emergency management staff to make those announcements. 

Weather: A Red Flag Warning is in effect through Monday night due to the potential for lightning. Rain yesterday delivered more than 2 inches of rain on most of the complex. Relative humidity and fuel moisture have increased. Rain will continue through the week and temperatures will become cooler.

 Click on the link below to watch the Community Meeting for the Middle Tanana Complex, held on Sunday, July 10, 2022.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 10, 2022

Evacuation statuses change within the Middle Tanana Complex

(Fairbanks, AK) – Several evacuation notices are now in effect for the unincorporated areas within the Middle Tanana Complex of fires near Delta Junction.

Along the Goodpaster River, these are now in place:

• The Goodpaster River corridor from river mile 0 to 8.6 is now in Level 1 “Ready” status due to the proximity of the South Fork Fire (#427).
• The Goodpaster River corridor from river mile 8.6 to 33.9 is now in Level 2 “Set” status due to the proximity of the South Fork Fire (#427).
• The Goodpaster River corridor from the confluence with the South Fork Goodpaster River to Seven Mile Creek is in Level 1 “Ready” status due to the proximity of the Central Creek Fire (#437) and Central Creek Airstrip Fire (#295).
• The group of cabins along the Goodpaster River at the mouth of Central Creek are in Level 2 “Set” status due to the proximity of the Central Creek Fire (#437) and Central Creek Airstrip Fire (#295).
• Additionally, the Shaw Creek Road and the Pogo Mine area is now in Level 1 “Ready” status due to the proximity of the Gold Hub Fire (#455).

Level 1 Ready means “Be Ready” for potential evacuation. Prepare your belongings and monitor social media, news, and radio information.

Level 2 Set means “Be Set” to evacuate and prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. This status signifies there is a significant danger in your area.

Level 3 Go means evacuate now, take your belongings and your pets, and leave immediately. The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection, in coordination with the Alaska Division of

Homeland Security and Emergency Management, implemented these evacuation notices. The Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 3 is managing the Middle Tanana Complex.

For more information regarding “Ready, Set, Go,” visit https://gacc.nifc.gov/gbcc/dispatch/ut- cdc/prevention/doc/ready_set_go.pdf

Contact: Sam Harrel, DOF Information Officer, (907) 356-5512, sam.harrel@alaska.gov.