Weather in southwest Alaska stabilized, allowing firefighters to reach their destination – Alaska Wildland Fire Information

No new fires were reported in Southwest Alaska on Friday, allowing firefighters to focus on suppressing fires in the region. The weekend outlook will not differ significantly from previous days. Cooler and wetter along the coast, while inland areas become drier and warmer as pressure builds over the continent. Afternoon showers will be possible in locations closer to the western portion of the Alaska Range, but stable air should prevent thunderstorms from forming over Southwest Alaska this weekend.

DOF firefighters from the southwest area are mobilizing into action American Creek Fire (No. 143) which started with a lightning strike on June 16 and is burning in a restricted response area 40 km northeast of King Salmon, between Lake Nonvianuk to the north and Lake Coville to the south. The fire is estimated to have burned 8,185 acres. Six firefighters call in King Salmon to provide spot protection to cottages along American Creek, west of the fire. They will also assess lodges in the area and develop spot protection for them. Spot protection is a strategy used in limited response areas where values ​​are at risk in large and expansive wilderness areas. Firefighters will defend areas as the fire approaches, without directly stopping the further spread of the fire.

Below is an update on Friday’s actions on the fires managed by a Type 3 organization in southwest Alaska, now known as the Red Devil Group. Assigned personnel and acreage have been updated to reflect the latest numbers.

Cribby Creek Fire (No. 201) – 3 miles north of Red Devil is burning in a modified response area. Better mapping reduced the surface area; the current estimate is 91 acres with a 10% reduction. Currently, 46 employees have been assigned. The Red Devil Group incident commander reported that no smoke or fire was identified at the edge of the fire perimeter. Del Rosa Hotshot crews continue to build fire lines directly at the edge of the fire. They work on the west wing, cleaning and setting up pumps and hose lines. They continue this work on the north side. Laguna Hotshots are assessing native allotments along the Kuskokwim River across from Red Devil, developing a defense plan in the event of a fire threat in the area.

South Fork George River Fire (#172) – 8.5 miles NE of Georgetown in a modified response area estimated at 7,218 acres. 20 personnel assigned. Chena Hotshots will complete preparation and test hose systems on the south and southeast sides of the fire. They will then move to the east and north slopes to construct and stake out fire lines. Superintendent Chena will examine the lots and three nearby cabins for potential preparation work.

Portage Fire (No. 169) – 5.5 miles southwest of Georgetown, south of the Kuskokwim River, within the full response area and estimated to encompass 859 acres. 33 employees were assigned. Afternoon rain was reported over the fire area. U.S. Forest Service R-10 T2 IA crews continue to develop protective measures for parcels east of the fire. The southeast portion of the fire’s eastern finger remains the most active area, spreading away from the river.

There were 29 additional fires in restricted management areas that will continue to be monitored by the Southwest Area DOF office. The Division of Forestry and Fire Protection will continue to provide information on fires in Southwest Alaska as it becomes available from reconnaissance flights and ground resources.

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More information on active fires in Alaska can be found in the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center’s daily situation report, which can be found online here:

Categories: Active Wildfire, Alaska DNR – Department of Forestry (DOF)

Tags: American Creek Fire, Cribby Creek Fire, Okawalik Fire, Portage Fire, South Fork George River Fire