The Bonanza Creek Fire (#238) has now consumed a total of 12,554 acres, while the Goldstream Creek Fire (#270) has spread across 20,535 acres.
Currently, 481 personnel are working tirelessly to combat the significant wildfires affecting these areas in Alaska.
A community meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, at 6:00 p.m. at the Nenana Civic Center.
The Alaska Complex Incident Management Team 2 will provide updates on the Nenana Ridge Complex, and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions.
For those who cannot attend in person, the meeting will be recorded and made available online following its conclusion.
As for evacuation status, the Fairbanks North Star Borough, alongside the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, updated evacuation levels on Thursday, July 10.
Currently, a Level 3 “GO!” evacuation order is in effect for several areas.
Outside the borough, this includes regions from the borough’s western edge, extending 4.5 miles west and from Sled Road north for 7 miles from the Alaska Railroad, encompassing Standard Creek Road and surrounding timber harvest access areas.
Within the borough, the Parks Highway corridor from milepost 316.5 to 338, as well as the southern section from MP 338 to 341, has also been designated ‘GO!’ status.
This order affects all residences located within a one-mile radius of the highway.
Additionally, a Level 2 “SET” order is in effect for areas outside the borough, specifically along the Parks Highway from MP 309 to 316.5.
Here, it encompasses homes along Little Goldstream Road and agricultural areas, extending east of the highway.
Inside the borough, the Standard Cache zone, which constitutes the middle portion of Standard Creek Road and the beginning of Cache Creek Road, remains under a Level 2 ‘SET’ order.
For those in the area, a Level 1 “READY” order is in place outside the borough for Parks Highway from MP 305 to 309.
Inside the borough, areas from MP 338 to 351 north of the Parks Highway, as well as Old Nenana Highway and various trails, are also marked as ‘READY’ status.
Evacuation shelters in Nenana and Fairbanks have currently closed.
However, shelter options for both people and animals will be re-established if necessary due to evacuations or fire behaviors.
Individuals seeking additional information are encouraged to contact the Fairbanks North Star Borough at 907-459-1308.
On the fire weather front, Monday’s conditions included isolated thunderstorms primarily away from the fire zone.
Wind gusts reached speeds of up to 25 mph.
Tuesday is anticipated to be the last day of cooler, stormy weather, with temperatures remaining around 70 degrees throughout the week.
While the region experienced clear skies on Monday, impending storms may trigger wind-driven flare-ups in areas that retain heat, particularly within the black spruce forest and other significant fuel sources.
Regarding the Goldstream Creek Fire (#270), several hotshot crews are diligently working under challenging conditions near Two Mile Lake.
These crews are focusing on strengthening fire lines as part of their firefighting efforts.
Ongoing structure protection efforts are being made in the Little Goldstream community.
This includes assessing properties to identify measures to mitigate damage from wildfires, removing combustible vegetation around homes, and filling portable water tanks to support sprinkler systems.
Pioneer Peak Hotshots made direct attacks on hotspots on the fire’s eastern side, preparing an indirect line on a nearby ridge for further containment.
The White Mountain crew, positioned on the fire’s northeast, has been assigned to monitor growth in the area heading east towards Ohio Creek.
Crews along the Parks Highway are also concluding their work to remove fire-damaged hazard trees from the crucial road corridor.
Meanwhile, for the Bonanza Creek Fire (#238), hotshots have concentrated their efforts on mopping up the northeast periphery of the fire.
They are addressing areas where heat remains trapped in dozer piles and heavy fuels.
Additionally, work is being done to create indirect lines by clearing roads from the northeast towards the Tanana River.
Close to the southwestern edge, crews and heavy equipment are nearing completion on an indirect line that stretches north from Bonanza Creek Road towards the highway.
Following this, operations will shift eastward along the edge of the fire at its southernmost point.
Firefighters are currently working to finalize their tasks along the Parks Highway between Mile Posts 318.5 to 335.5.
Flaggers and a pilot car will be present from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Tuesday for road safety.
Ongoing highway construction from Mile Post 319 to 325 also includes flaggers and pilot cars for active works.
Drivers can expect wait times of around 20-30 minutes.
For more detailed updates on the construction project, individuals can visit https://dot.alaska.gov/nreg/parks319to325/.
For real-time road conditions, please refer to 511.alaska.gov.
For further information or resources about the fires and ongoing efforts, you can access a PDF version of this update or visit Alaska Wildland Fire Information at akfireinfo.com.
Stay updated by following their Facebook page at facebook.com/AK.Forestry.
Moreover, for an interactive map detailing Alaska wildfires, you can visit https://arcg.is/1a0yT03.
For video briefings and additional fire-related content, please check out the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@AlaskaDNRDOF.
Lastly, the public can reach the Information Line at (907) 331-0454 or send inquiries via email to [email protected].
image source from：akfireinfo
