Fire activity across southern Alaska continues to stabilize as cooler, wet weather blankets the region. Warmer and drier weather will arrive by the weekend, increasing the potential for new initial attack fires over the 4th of July weekend. – Alaska Wildland Fire Information

Cooler temperatures with isolated light rain across southern Alaska on Monday, minimized initial attacks over the past 24 hours with only one new fire reported. Tea Patty Ave Fire (#336)10 miles east of Soldotna, was reported Monday afternoon and resources were quickly dispatched. Upon arrival, crews found a small 4' x 8' fire that had been ignited by debris that had escaped from a burn barrel. Crews safely extinguished the grass and moss fire and called the fire contained before returning to their fire stations for the evening.

Cooler temperatures and scattered rain showers will persist over southern Alaska for the next few days helping fire crews gain the upper hand on current wildfires while providing short-term relief for initial attack resources until high pressure and hotter temperatures return midweek. A Red Flag Warning has been issued today for Eastern Interior Alaska, including the Dalton Highway Summits, the southern slopes of the Eastern Brooks Range and the Yukon Flats for gusty winds, higher daytime temperatures and low humidity. The Red Flag Warning is issued because of the potential for large scale fire growth and an increase in initial attack fires in those areas.

With the Fourth of July fast approaching, the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection would like to remind you to exercise extreme caution with any fire or fireworks in the coming days. There are several ongoing major incidents on the landscape and fire-fighting resources are stretched thin. Under current conditions, any source of ignition can quickly become a large and destructive wildfire. As a reminder, fireworks are not allowed in the Kenai Borough and Mat-Su Boroughs. Thank you for helping keep yourself, your neighbors, and your local first responders safe this Fourth of July.

Below are the existing fires the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection are currently managing

Tustumena Lake Fire (#311) – The 35-acre Tustumena Lake Fire, 20 miles south of Soldotna, was reported on Saturday afternoon at 2:48 PM. Upon initial attack, the fire, burning in black spruce was determined to be inaccessible from the road and a helicopter crew shuttle was quickly established to transport firefighters to the fire area. 12 additional smoke jumpers were also ordered to support the firefighting operation.

On Monday, crews reinforced suppression lines around the entire fire perimeter and continued using hose lays to mop up the thick black spruce stands, heavy dead and downed fuels and brush pockets impacted by the fire's initial run. An additional 20-person hand crew has arrived to assist with mop up and additional suppression activities.

Due to the reduction in active fire activity seen on the fire, land managers reopened the Slack Water boat launch on the Kasilof River and the Tustumena Campground at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, July 02. The Centennial Lake campground will continue to be closed in order to support suppression efforts.

Smoke and aviation resources will continue to be seen from the Tustumena Lake Road corridor as aviation resources support firefighters on the ground from the Centennial Lake area. However, the fire poses no threat to residents of the Kenai Peninsula Borough at this time. For more information regarding the impact to the community please visit info.kpb.us This is the one-stop hub site for ready, set, go, know-your-zones and other response information.

American Creek Fire (#143) – 25 miles northeast of King Salmon, this lightning caused fire is burning in a limited response area and is estimated to be 4,650 acres with eight personnel assigned. With cooler temperatures and wetting rains across the fire area, the fire showed minimal growth overnight. Fire crews continue to take advantage of natural geographic barriers and advantageous fire weather to keep the fire from spreading.

With cooler temperatures and higher humidity across southwest Alaska on Sunday, the Type 3 organization known as the Red Devil Group continues to stride out on multiple fires containing within their response areas. Personnel assignments and acres have been updated to reflect the most recent numbers over the past 24 hours.

Cribby Creek Fire (#201) – 3 miles north of Red Devil, the fire is burning in a modified response area and is estimated to be 91 acres with 10% containment. 46 personnel are currently assigned to the fire. The Del Rosa and Laguna Hotshots continue to construct and enhance suppression lines while taking advantage of natural barriers in order to protect Native allotments along the Kuskokwim River across from Red Devil.

South Fork George River Fire (#172) – 8.5 miles northeast of Georgetown is in a modified response area. The fire exhibited minimal growth on Sunday, increasing to 7,415 acres. The Chena Hotshots completed line construction and mop up operations on Monday containing the fire. Chena Hotshots will begin demobilization today and become available for other initial attack fires beginning on Wednesday. This will be the last report on this fire.

Portage Fire (#169) – 5.5 miles southwest of Georgetown, south of the Kuskokwim River, is a full response area fire and is estimated to be 823 acres. The fire continues to see minimal growth over the past 24 hours due to cooler temperatures wetting showers over the fire area. A US Forest Service Type 2 initial attack crew will continue to secure and reinforcing the northern perimeter keeping the fire from spreading into resources of value. 33 personnel are currently assigned to the incident.

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Categories: Alaska DNR – Division of Forestry (DOF)

Tags: 2024 Alaska Fire Season, Alaska Division of Forestry, DOF Coastal Region, Kenai-Kodiak Area Forestry, Mat-Su Area Forestry