Demobilization Underway for Popovich Creek Coal Seam Fire – Alaska Wildfire Information

Scattered rain showers began Thursday evening and continued through Friday morning over the Popovich Creek Coal Seed Fire (#067), accumulating 0.06 inches as of 11:00 a.m. Friday. The White Mountain Crew from the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Fairbanks area engine were freed from the fire Friday morning, along with two bulldozers and a call for water from the North Star Volunteer Fire Department. Cooler weather and rain moderated fire behavior on the fire and the nearby Sanderson Creek Coal Seam Fire (#084). The Popovich Creek Fire is 65% contained and remains at an estimated 3,954 acres, while the Sanderson Creek Fire remains at 195 acres.

The remaining crews, DOF Pioneer Peak Hotshots and BLM Alaska Fire Service Chena Hotshots will remove all hoses, pumps, equipment and waste from the fire line and construct sling loads that will be flown by helicopters to the staging area. DOF warehouse technicians and staging area hotshot team members will load pallets for transportation to Fairbanks. Rush teams will demobilize on Saturday once everything is clear of the fire zone.

Fires will be placed on watch status. This will be the last update unless significant activity occurs.

Categories: Active wildfires, Alaska DNR – Division of Forestry (DOF)

Tags: 2024 Alaska Fire Season, Backhaul, Healy, Popovich Creek Coal Seam Fire, Sanderson Creek Coal Seam Fire