Interior Alaska Wildfire update: Thursday, Aug. 3

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) – As expected, the increase in temperatures have brought an increase in active fires burning in Alaska.

As of Wednesday, Aug. 3 there are 140 active fires in the state and 54,594 acres have burned, according to the Alaska Div. of Forestry and Fire. A majority of the fires burning are located in Interior Alaska.

Fires burning north of Fairbanks include the Olnes Pond Fire, Sargent Creek Fire, Treasure Creek Fire, Our Creek Fire, Lost Horse Creek Fire, and Murphy Creek Fire. Information provided by the Elliot Group Fires Div. of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Fire behavior increased Wednesday, to the Lost Horse Creek Fire burning north of Old Murphy Dome Road and 3.5 miles east of Mile 18 on the Elliot Highway. 1,900 acres have burned.

Neighborhoods in the Upper Haystack Subdivision were issued a “GO” evacuation notice from the Fairbanks North Star Borough Wednesday evening. Areas affected include Upper Haystack Drive, Sharmon Court, and all of Middle Fork Road. Two retardant tankers, two Super Scoopers, and Fire Bosses along with aerial supervision were dispatched to moderate the fire’s activity and slow its growth.

The Anderson Complex fires have burned over 8,000 acres with over 211 personnel assigned to the fires. Evacuation level 3 “GO” status remains in place for all residents along the Teklanika River and all residents in the Clear Sky Homestead area including those next to Rose Hip Creek. Evacuation level 2 “SET” remains in place for all residents of Anderson and all residents that use any road west of the Parks Highway between mile 270 and the Rex Bridge. The Incident Management Team Great Basin 3 is working the fires while the Midnight Sun Hotshots and Lassen Hotshots continue to protect structures and allotments along the Teklanika River corridor. A JBER Task Force and Nulato Hills crew is inspecting and improving fire breaks around the town of Anderson.

The Pilot Spot fire is a new fire that was spotted Wednesday afternoon and is burning north of the Anderson Complex fires. The Incident Management Team Great Basin 3, is responding to the new fire, according to Alaska Div. of Forestry and Fire.

The Anderson Complex fires includes the Teklanika River Fire, Birch Creek Fire, Pilot Spot Fire, Kobe Road Fire, Nenana River Fire, and Nenana River Fire 2. More information on the Anderson Complex fires is available on the Denali Borough website or via their Facebook page.

The McCoy Creek Fire burning in Salcha between river mile 3 to 40 has consumed 5,000 acres and is currently moving away from the Salcha River and properties. Evacuation levels of “GO” are still in place for the Lower Salcha River area and “SET” for the Middle Salcha River. Response to the flames ramped up on Tuesday with additional firefighter personnel sent to the type 2 incident team.

The Shaw Creek Flats area fires that are burning north of Delta, as of Thursday, Aug. 3, include the Pogo Mine Road Fire, Keystone Creek Fire, 6 Mile Pogo Fire, Shaw Creek Flats Fire, and Corda Creek Fire. Information provided by Shaw Creek Flats Div. of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The Pogo Mine Road Fire has consumed 15,838 acres. Tanana Chiefs Crew and Dept. of Forestry personnel continue working to protect Pogo Mine Road, the Pogo Gold Mine, and Quartz Lake area, according to Alaska Fire Info.

Additional fires include the Mosquito Fire burning 5 miles east of Harding Lake and the Standard Creek Fire which is burning 7 miles west of Fairbanks. Fire crews are working both fires.

To report a wildfire in Alaska call 1-800-237-3633 or you can call 911.

For information on how to be prepared for an evacuation, visit Ready, Set, Go: preparing for evacuations.

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