Predicted warm weather will likely increase fire behavior and smoke on the McDonald Fire – Alaska Wildfire Information

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – After days of rain, warmer, drier weather will return to the McDonald Fire area this weekend, possibly increasing fire activity and smoke. The Blair Lakes remote weather station has recorded 0.75 inches of rain since June 11, allowing firefighters to prepare a group of cabins on 5 Mile Creek. They successfully installed sprinkler systems for all 21 cabins and cleared vegetation to reinforce defensible space around the structures. They also improved the trails for better access and egress. Firefighters are expected to have completed protection of all structures by the end of the day.

Rain this week also helped control the fire. Although the northern and eastern boundaries of the fire remain active, there has been no movement or area gain for several days. Firefighters also identified lookouts to help monitor the bulk of the fire. The return to clear skies should also make it possible to have a good idea of ​​the fire from planes and satellite imagery, hampered by cloudy conditions. This may result in a change in the number of acres due to better mapping.

In addition to the 54 personnel assigned to the fire, DOF has 42 personnel stationed near the McDonald Fire in Harding Lake. These crews, the Pioneer Peak Hotshots and Gannet Glacier, continue fuels mitigation work in Harding Lake State Park and are ready to respond quickly to any new start-ups in the interior.

Weather Forecast: Warmer and drier conditions are expected this weekend as high pressure develops over the interior. Temperatures will peak in the 80s on Sunday. The minimum relative humidity will fall below 30% on Sunday but will remain in the mid 30s through the week. Limited precipitation is expected, with scattered afternoon showers and isolated thunderstorms, mainly over high terrain on the northeast and eastern edges of the fire. Winds will be calm and westerly throughout the week, except for possible gusts during showers and thunderstorms.

Burning permit: There is no DOF burn hold for the area. please check
or call the Fairbanks Area Forestry burn permit hotline at (907) 451-2631 for the most recent updates.

Air quality: None are issued for this area. Find information on how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke on the Smoke Management page on akfireinfo.com.

Evacuation notice: The Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) has issued a Level 2 Evacuation Notice: SET for the approximately 20 cabins located near the southern edge of the fire. The FNSB also placed areas along the Lower Salcha River, Harding Lake, Hollies Acres and Canaday neighborhoods into READY status. Find more information and an interactive map of these areas on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Services website.

Categories: AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service

Tags: 2024 Alaska Fire Season, Alaska BLM Fire Department, McDonald Fire