Posted on 08/07/2002 7:19:38 AM PDT by Grampa Dave
The weather forecast for Curry County is warmer today and tomorrow.
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AFS Fire News Release |
NEWS RELEASE
ALASKA INTERAGENCY COORDINATION CENTER
FORT WAINWRIGHT, ALASKA
Further information contact: release number: date:
Fire Information Center AICC02-76 8/06/02
Phone: (907) 356-5511 1000HRS
Structure protection continues on Alaska
wildfires
Firefighters reported continued success in protecting structures
and remote cabin sites from wildfires across Alaska's Interior
Monday. Cooler temperatures began to move into the fire areas,
but smoky skies continued to hamper aircraft operations.
Firefighters conducted a burnout near the old mining town of
Poorman 75 miles southeast of Galena. The 18,300-acre Long Creek
Fire is less than a mile to the north. The bridge and old
structures at Sulatna Crossing were protected. Smoky conditions
made mapping difficult, and an aircraft equipped with an infrared
camera was requested for the fire.
Smokejumpers were sent to three fires after they began to burn
toward protected sites. Four smokejumpers deployed on the
Milepost 85 Fire 65 miles northeast of Nome, which began Sunday
when a vehicle caught fire off the Nome-Boulder Highway. They
concentrated on protecting a weather station and planned to move
to two other sites near the fire today. The fire has burned 2,900
acres in tundra.
Four smokejumpers will be joined by an emergency firefighter crew
from Venetie today at the 13,400-acre Kocacho Fire about 35 miles
north of the village. Eight smokejumpers were sent to the
Reindeer Fire about 35 miles east of Holy Cross. They set up
pumps, hose and sprinkler systems around several houses and
outbuildings. The 92,800-acre fire is about 2.5 miles away from
the nearest allotments and about 5.5 miles from Reindeer Lake,
where a hunting lodge and other structures are located.
The Ketchem Creek Fire near Circle Hot Springs burned actively
Monday and was reported at 3,500 acres this morning. Three
emergency firefighter crews were shuttled to the fire line by
helicopter. They secured line and mopped up along the southwest
flank and plan a burnout today along the north end. Four engines
arrived from Fairbanks and began assessing structure protection
needs along the Steese Highway. A Type 2 Incident Management Team
is assigned to the fire, which was reported Saturday.
A Type 2 Incident Management Team is also deployed at the North
Fork Fire at Medfra, 25 miles northeast of McGrath. Poor
visibility limited flight operations around the 22,000-acre fire.
Six emergency firefighter crews are working primarily in Medfra
to protect structures.
Smoke lifted on the Geskakmina Lake Fire enough for firefighters
to move to three lakes where cabins are located. They activated
pumps and sprinkler systems at Kindanina, Tammy and Becky Lakes.
Smokejumpers are working at cabin protection on West Twin Lake
and fire specialists are working at sites along the Kantishna
River. The fire burning in the Tanana Flats south of Manley was
last mapped at 118,500 acres.
The Milepost 78 Fire burning south of the Elliott Highway between
Livengood and Minto remained about one mile from the road at
Milepost 95. The fire may still burn to the road. Motorists are
urged to observe the road sign at Fox warning of fire conditions,
to use extreme caution when driving in the fire area, and to
avoid driving the highway between Livengood and Minto today if
possible. The fire was human caused on May 23 and has burned
111,000 acres.
Poor visibility continued to restrict helicopter work on fires
near Lake Minchumina. A crew continued structure protection at
the lake. The 52,000-acre Sischu Fire is several miles northwest
of the lake. The 65,000-acre Moose Lake Fire is southwest of the
lake and the 26,000-acre John Hansen Creek Fire and the 5,200-
acre John Hansen Lake Fire are burning to the northeast.
Meanwhile, two crews continued work at the 3,400-acre Goblet
Creek Fire near Grayling. A retardant aircraft and helicopter
were used to secure hot spots and wet the line where firefighters
were working.
Two new fires were reported to the Alaska Interagency
Coordination Center Monday. Human caused fires of an acre or less
were contained and put out in the Delta Area and the Fairbanks
Area.
FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS: Temporary Flight Restrictions are in effect
over the North Fork Fire northeast of McGrath and the Ketchem
Creek Fire near Circle Hot Springs. Pilots are required to stay
clear of these areas.
Currently 53 fires are burning in Alaska. So far this year the
Alaska Interagency Coordination Center reports 521 fires
statewide have burned 1,360,000 acres. The AICC coordinates fire
management resources for the Department of Interior agencies, the
Alaska Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service.
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Currently 53 fires are burning in Alaska. So far this year the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center reports 521 fires statewide have burned 1,360,000 acres.
The news black out on this has been amazing. 1,360,000 acres is 2125 square miles.
Club Sierra doesn't want any drilling for oil to reduce our dependence on Opecker Oil, but it is okay for their fire agenda burns to happen.
Long range weather forecast for high winds, high heat, low humidity.
Jean Ferguson, FS information officer says 40 mile winds at Snow Camp.
Resident of Wilderness Retreat, 14 miles up Chetco River, reports "the winds are really kicking up."
Sheriff Kent Owen has ordered in more National Guard to be on standby to assist with security if needed.
Darn, I was afraid of this last night when we got the low humidity and high wind warning for N. California. Often that is associated with what appears to be happening in Curry County at this time.
Keep an eye and ear on alert to the east of you.
Our prayers are with the residents and visitors to Curry County, Oregon.
Oh yah, and good morning, thanks for the updated, pings, commentary, and general cheery disposition!
EBUCK
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