Thanks to the strong work of fire crews and cooperative weather conditions on the Ninetyeight Fire (#218), the Fairbanks North Star Borough is downgrading the Salcha River corridor (Upper, Middle and Lower Salcha River evacuation zones) to a Level 1 (READY) alert level. Level 1 means “BE READY” for potential evacuation. Residents should be aware of danger in their area and monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information.
The evacuation map and other information can be found on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Operations website at https://www.fnsb.gov/180/Emergency-Operations.
On Thursday, fire managers conducted a reconnaissance flight over the Ninetyeight Fire, which showed that the area near structures and Alaska Native allotments was quiet and not showing heat. There is some heat and slight fire movement on the northern side, and the fire perimeter is currently at 4,340 acres.
Fire behavior on Thursday included creeping and smoldering, but no torching. The fire did not receive any precipitation Thursday night. Some warming and drying could occur over the weekend.
Today, smokejumpers will continue work to extinguish hot spots further into the control lines, working from the eastern side of the fire to the north and to the west. Firefighters will continue protection structure protection work and will evaluate and implement options for reducing risk to nearby Alaska Native allotments. They will improve line and mop up inside the fire perimeter from River Mile 35 towards the west.
Text WILDFIRES to 67283 to receive text notifications or go to: https://www.smart911.com/smart911/login.action?lpse=1
Additional information on wildfires across Alaska, including the Ninetyeight Fire, can be found at: https://akfireinfo.com/ or by calling: (907) 356-5511.
Learn more at akfireinfo.com, and on Facebook (@BLMAFS).
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Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info