Total Acres: 50,276 - 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

Evacuations: Evacuation levels on the Goodpaster river were announced today consistent with those in the Salcha river corridor. From 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 GO 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.

Operations:  Smokejumpers are completing structure protection measures along the Salcha River corridor at cabins and buildings that are closest to the Yukon Fire. They will continue working downriver to prepare structures should the fire impact move toward the next group of buildings.

The Central Creek Fire and Gold Hub fires are impacting the Pogo Mine road and adjacent powerlines. Firefighters are protecting the power poles where fire comes down to the road by digging fire line around them or defensive firing to remove fuels. Maintaining power and access to the mine are high priorities.

In the lower Goodpaster River corridor, Crane Valley hotshots continue 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 on the Goodpaster River. The Porcupine, Gilles, Marshall Mountain, and California Creek fires are in monitor status. Fire managers will check the fires from the air every two to three days for any significant changes or increased threats to structures.

Weather: A Red Flag Warning is in effect due to the potential for lightning. Rain overnight increased relative humidity and delivered up to a quarter inch of rain on most of the fires in the complex. They Yukon Creek fire received less at one tenth of an inch. Rain will continue through the week as temperatures cool down.

Fire Behavior:  Fire spread will be minimal today with lower temperatures and increased moisture. Fires will continue creeping and smoldering in surface fuels but are not expected to show much growth.

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!

Smoke: Visit https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/fba6a113 for the current Smoke Outlook for Interior Alaska.

Fire Information:

Fire Information Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Phone: 907-921-2548 | Email: 2022.middletanana@firenet.gov

Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8201/ | https://www.facebook.com/AK.Forestry/| akfireinfo.com/    

New acreages for the fires were received late this morning and are included in the update. 
Total Acres: 50,276 - 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

  

Evacuations: 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. Visit https://tinyurl.com/FNSBEvacMap for information about evacuations in your area.

 

Operations:  Smokejumpers are making progress implementing structure protection measures along the Salcha River corridor in areas that the Yukon Fire could impact. During structure protection efforts, firefighters set up pumps and hoses to get water to a sprinkler system that can be turned on around buildings as the fire nears. They clear vegetation away from the structures and further secure the property with handline as needed. These efforts are intended to minimize impacts to properties should the fire reach them. 

 

Late yesterday, the Central Creek Fire became more active and began to impact the Pogo Mine road around mile 40. The Gold Hub Fire continues to impact the Pogo Mine road around mile 20. Protecting the power lines that supply electricity to the mine is a priority. If conditions allow, fire managers will take a reconnaissance flight to assess these fires today. 

 

In the lower Goodpaster River corridor, boats were used to deliver structure protection equipment to the Crane Valley Hotshot crew that was inserted yesterday. They will continue their work around cabins and buildings near the South Fork Fire. The Central Creek Airstrip fire in the upper Goodpaster River corridor is being monitored for fire impacts on structures at the airstrip. Crews periodically check hoses and pumps set up around cabins near the airstrip to ensure they are working should they be needed. The Porcupine, Gilles, Marshall Mountain, and California Creek fires are in monitor status. Fire managers will check the fires from the air every two to three days for any significant changes or increased threats to structures.

 

Weather: A Red Flag Warning is in effect due to the potential for thunderstorms with ample lightning and erratic outflow winds.  A high-pressure system persists across the Interior, accompanied by hot and dry conditions. Temperatures will range from 74 to 84 degrees. Increasing cloud cover this afternoon will raise relative humidity to 28-43%.  

Fire Behavior:  Yukon Creek, Gold Hub, Central Creek, and South Fork fires became active late yesterday. Weather conditions created fuel and terrain driven growth primarily on the fire perimeters. Fires were flanking and backing until they align with topography for short uphill runs. Some short-range spotting continues to occur and allows for fire movement where fuels are receptive to burning.

 

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!

 

Smoke: Visit https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/fba6a113 for the current Smoke Outlook for Interior Alaska.

 

Fire Information:

Fire Information Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Phone: 907-921-2548 | Email: 2022.middletanana@firenet.gov

Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8201/ | https://www.facebook.com/AK.Forestry/| akfireinfo.com/    

Acres: Yukon Creek – 3,208, Marshall Mountain – 0.3, Central Creek – 1,816, Central Creek Airstrip – 6,576, Porcupine Creek – 12,115, South Fork – 2,777, Gold Hub – 3,726, California Creek – 292, Gilles Creek – 17

Start Date: Various
Cause: Lightning
Location: Northeast of Delta Junction
Fuels: Timber, grass, understory, and brush

Evacuations: 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. Visit https://tinyurl.com/FNSBEvacMap for information about evacuations in your area.

Operations:  Smokejumpers are making progress implementing structure protection measures along the Salcha River corridor in areas that the Yukon Fire could impact. During structure protection efforts, firefighters set up pumps and hoses to get water to a sprinkler system that can be turned on around buildings as the fire nears. They clear vegetation away from the structures and further secure the property with handline as needed. These efforts are intended to minimize impacts to properties should the fire reach them. 

Late yesterday, the Central Creek Fire became more active and began to impact the Pogo Mine road around mile 40. The Gold Hub Fire continues to impact the Pogo Mine road around mile 20. Protecting the power lines that supply electricity to the mine is a priority. If conditions allow, fire managers will take a reconnaissance flight to assess these fires today. 

In the lower Goodpaster River corridor, boats were used to deliver structure protection equipment to the Crane Valley Hotshot crew that was inserted yesterday. They will continue their work around cabins and buildings near the South Fork Fire. The Central Creek Airstrip fire in the upper Goodpaster River corridor is being monitored for fire impacts on structures at the airstrip. Crews periodically check hoses and pumps set up around cabins near the airstrip to ensure they are working should they be needed. The Porcupine, Gilles, Marshall Mountain, and California Creek fires are in monitor status. Fire managers will check the fires from the air every two to three days for any significant changes or increased threats to structures.

Weather: A Red Flag Warning is in effect due to the potential for thunderstorms with ample lightning and erratic outflow winds.  A high-pressure system persists across the Interior, accompanied by hot and dry conditions. Temperatures will range from 74 to 84 degrees. Increasing cloud cover this afternoon will raise relative humidity to 28-43%.

Fire Behavior:  Yukon Creek, Gold Hub, Central Creek, and South Fork fires became active late yesterday. Weather conditions created fuel and terrain driven growth primarily on the fire perimeters. Fires were flanking and backing until they align with topography for short uphill runs. Some short-range spotting continues to occur and allows for fire movement where fuels are receptive to burning.

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!

Smoke: Visit https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/fba6a113 for the current Smoke Outlook for Interior Alaska.

Fire Information:

Fire Information Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Phone: 907-921-2548 | Email: 2022.middletanana@firenet.gov

Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8201/ | https://www.facebook.com/AK.Forestry/| akfireinfo.com/   

A recording of the Thursday, July 7, 2022 is now available for viewing.  Click on the link below.  

Acres: Yukon Creek – 3,208, Marshall Mountain – 0.3, Central Creek – 1,816, Central Creek Airstrip - 6,576, Porcupine Creek – 12,115, South Fork – 2,777, Gold Hub – 3,726, California Creek – 292, Gilles Creek – 17 
Start Date: Various 
Cause: Lightning
Location: Northeast of Delta Junction
Fuels: Timber, grass, understory, and brush

  

Evacuations: 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 status. When evacuation status changes, we will work with emergency management staff to make those announcements. Visit https://tinyurl.com/FNSBEvacMap for information about evacuations in your area.

 

Operations: Southwest of the Yukon Creek Fire in the lower Salcha River corridor, smokejumpers continued structure protection on cabins and buildings. The Marshall Mountain and Porcupine Creek fires experienced some growth but remain in monitor status. 

 

The Gold Hub Fire continued to burn near the Pogo Mine road. Fire managers met with mine staff to develop a plan to protect the road and powerlines to minimize impacts on mine operations. Safe passage of mine workers remains a priority for fire management personnel. The Gilles Creek Fire has established in two drainages to the west and is showing growth.

 

In the lower Goodpaster River corridor, a hotshot crew was inserted by boat to begin structure protection around cabins and buildings near the South Fork Fire. By day's end, they expect to have completed protection measures around about half of the structures in the area. They will continue to work there for the next several days to complete the mission.

 

The Central Creek, Central Creek Airstrip, and California Creek fires in the upper Goodpaster River corridor are in monitor status. Previously, crews had set up hoses and pumps around structures near the airstrip. Firefighters fly in to check those periodically to ensure the pumps are working should they be needed. 

 

Fire managers continue to work through communications and transportation challenges to engage firefighters on the ground safely. 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!

  Weather: Relative humidity is expected to be in the upper 20s today with temperatures in the 70s. These weather circumstances are considered critical burning conditions. Winds are expected to remain light and variable. A Red Flag Warning is still in effect due to the potential for thunderstorm development.  

Fire Behavior:  Yukon Creek, Gold Hub, Central Creek, and South Fork fires became active in the afternoon yesterday and are expected to do the same today. Weather conditions created fuel and terrain driven growth primarily on the fire perimeters. Fires were flanking and backing until they align with topography for short uphill runs. Some short-range spotting continues to occur and allows for fire movement where fuels are receptive to burning.

 

Smoke: Visit https://akfireinfo.com/smoke-management/ for information about the latest Alaska smoke conditions.

 

Fire Information:

Fire Information Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Phone: 907-921-2548 | Email: 2022.middletanana@firenet.gov

Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8201/ | https://www.facebook.com/AK.Forestry/| akfireinfo.com/    

Click on the link to view the Operational Briefing for Wednesday, July 6, 2022.

Acres: Yukon Creek – 3,208, Marshall Mountain – 0.3, Central Creek – 1,816, Central Creek Airstrip – 6,576, Porcupine Creek – 12,115, South Fork – 1,377, Gold Hub – 3,726, California Creek – 292, Gilles Creek – 16 

Start Date: Various  
Cause: Lightning 
Location: Approximately north east of Delta Junction 
Fuels: Timber

Highlights:  A community meeting is scheduled for 7:00 pm tonight at the Delta Junction Community Center, 2287 Deborah Street, Delta Junction. The meeting will be simulcast on KDHS Radio, 95.5 FM. 

Operations: Along the Salcha River corridor smokejumpers completed structure protection on a group of cabins and buildings near the Yukon Creek fire. These firefighters then moved west to the next group of structures six miles away. This area is categorized as Division S and encompasses the Yukon Creek, Marshall Mountain, and Porcupine Creek fires.  

In the lower Goodpaster River corridor in Division G, which is impacted by the South Fork Fire, firefighters will be inserted by boat today to implement structure protection measures around cabins and buildings.  

Today fire managers will meet with Pogo Mine staff to develop a plan for protecting critical mine infrastructure currently affected by the Gold Hub Fire. The area is Division P and includes the Gilles Creek Fire.  

A crew flew into the Central Creek Airstrip to check and test sprinkler systems yesterday. This area is categorized as Division C and includes the Central Creek, Central Creek Airstrip, and California Creek fires. A new start was detected between the South Fork Goodpaster River and the Central Creek Airstrip fire. It has been named the Big Swede Creek Fire.  

Fire managers continue to work through communications and transportation challenges to safely engage firefighters on the ground. 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! 

 

Weather: Relative humidity is expected to be in the low 30s tomorrow and may dip into the 20s. Fuels dried out yesterday with low humidity and will continue to do so today. Winds will switch directions to NW at 5mph. Beginning Friday temperatures will begin cooling through the weekend.  

Fire Behavior:  Fire behavior increased yesterday due to the drying trend which will continue today. Gold Hub, Yukon Creek, and South Fork will likely make small uphill runs and experience increased fire behavior when they encounter stands of black spruce. 

Evacuations: The residents off the road system and recreational cabins in the Middle Salcha River and Upper Salcha River Zones are now in SET status. The lower Salcha River remains in READY status. Visit https://tinyurl.com/FNSBEvacMap for up to date information about evacuations.

Smoke: Visit https://akfireinfo.com/smoke-management/ for information about the latest Alaska smoke conditions.

Fire Information:

Fire Information Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Phone: 907-921-2548 | Email: 2022.middletanana@firenet.gov

Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8201/ | https://www.facebook.com/AK.Forestry/| akfireinfo.com/    

Acreage 23,386 | Start Date: Various | Cause: Lightning | Location: Approximately northeast of Delta Junction | Fuels: Timber

Highlights:  The Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 3, Incident Commander Mike Almas, assumed command of the Middle Tanana Complex at 8:00 am on July 6, 2022. The Complex consists of nine fires, the Yukon Creek (#296), Marshall Mountain (#420), Central Creek (#437), Central Creek Airstrip (#295), Porcupine Creek (#375), South Fork (#427), Gold Hub (#455), California Creek (#472), Gilles Creek (#460).

A community meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 7 at 7:00 pm at the Delta Junction Community Center, 2287 Deborah Street, Delta Junction. The meeting will be simulcast on KDHS Radio, 95.5 FM.

Operations: The Middle Tanana Complex is comprised of nine fires split geographically into three divisions (S-Salcha River corridor, G-Goodpasture River corridor, and P-Pogo Mine). In Division S, smokejumpers implemented structure protection measures, including clearing brush and debris, and putting sprinklers, pumps, and hoses around buildings on the north side of the Salcha River near the Yukon Fire. Today they will assess structures further downriver for doing similar work. In Division G, fire personnel will evaluate the need for structure protection near the South Fork Fire because of its proximity to recreational cabins. In Division P, measures to protect Pogo Mine infrastructure will continue. Resources are available to assist with any new fire starts as needed.

Temporary Flight Restrictions are in place over the Gold Hub, Gilles Creek, and South Fork fires. Flight restrictions are for any aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t!

Weather: Red flag warning in effect through midnight tonight due to potential thunderstorms. Relative humidity is expected to be in the mid- to upper-30s. Gap winds from the Alaska range are not expected to affect fires in the complex. Gusts of 5 – 10 mph are predicted.  

Fire Behavior: On Monday, the fires were active and grew significantly due to low relative humidity of 22% and a high temperature of 83 degrees. Yesterday, conditions improved slightly, and fire behavior moderated with less growth. Today, smoke in the air combined with milder weather will allow for continued moderated fire behavior and lower potential for significant fire growth.

Evacuations: The residents off the road system and recreational cabins in the Middle Salcha River and Upper Salcha River Zones are now in SET status. Visit the Fairbanks North Star Borough evacuation map for evacuations in that Borough: https://tinyurl.com/FNSBEvacMap

Smoke: Visit https://akfireinfo.com/smoke-management/ for information about the latest Alaska smoke conditions.

Fire Information:

Fire Information Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Phone: 907-921-2548 | Email: 2022.middletanana@firenet.gov

Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8201/ | https://www.facebook.com/AK.Forestry/| akfireinfo.com/ 

Cotton field Fire Update
July 5, 2022 2:00 pm

Size: 119 acres
Containment: 90%
Cause: Powerlines

Crews continue to patrol and mop up hotspots along the containment lines put in by dozer crews last night on the Cotton Field Fire. Fire behavior was extreme yesterday afternoon upon arrival, but moderated as the night set in allowing crews the chance to get the containment lines complete stopping forward progression. Today the fire has shown very little activity, but high temperatures and winds do pose an increase in fire danger. The fire started by sparks from a pole mounted electric box that shorted out.

  Ferngully Fire

12:00 PM 

Size: 2,026 acres
Containment: 90%
Cause :Unknown

Yesterday, July 4, 2022, crews returned to the fire in the morning and found a significant amount of hot spots (concentrated areas of heat) along the edge of the fire. many of these hot spots were mopped up and mitigated. 

Today, July 5, 2022, crews return out to the fire and will be patrolling and mopping up any heats found within close proximity to the edge of the fire. A thunderstorm is forecasted to pass over the area of the fire later this evening so crews will work on mitigating any concerns on the fire prior to the storm. Command anticipates that the fire will be increased to 100% this afternoon.