As fires continue to smolder near Fairbanks, residents like Jim Strickland face an uncertain future. Strickland, who lives on Haystack Road just north of Fairbanks, witnessed flames soaring 150 to 200 feet high, prompting him to evacuate. Despite an evacuation notice, many locals chose to stay behind, reflecting the resilient spirit of the Haystack community.
The evacuation notice for Strickland’s neighborhood was downgraded recently, but the impact of the nearby Himalaya and Haystack fires still looms. The air was filled with the scent of smoke, blending eerily with the rain clouds overhead. Strickland initially fled to town amidst the chaos, having previously experienced a fire that came dangerously close to his home two years ago.
“I could see the flames taller than the ridge,” he recounted, explaining how this year’s fire threats were reminiscent of past dangers. “Then I said, ‘It’s time to maybe go somewhere.’”
While Strickland returned home, the evacuation had left its mark on the community. Many residents, like Robin Metzner, remained steadfastly in their homes despite evacuations. Metzner recalled the tense atmosphere during the fires when properties were nearly surrounded: “Yeah, it’s one of those feelings where you can feel the walls closing in.”
Dressed in an informal attire and preparing for a fire preparedness meeting, Metzner acknowledged the unique make-up of the Haystack neighborhood, home to off-gridders, farmers, and self-reliant individuals. Despite the borough placing the area on high alert, labeled as “Go,” many residents opted to stay.
“This is all we got,” Metzner stated regarding the hesitation to evacuate. He expressed the emotional burden of possibly losing everything, especially with winter approaching soon.
Francesca Baca, a spokesperson for federal firefighters at the Himalaya Road Fire, noted the importance of creating defensible spaces around properties. Nonetheless, she emphasized that residents should heed evacuation warnings.
Fairbanks Borough Mayor Grier Hopkins reiterated the seriousness of the evacuation orders. He explained that such decisions are not made lightly and urged residents to prioritize safety to support first responders in their difficult work. “We can’t force anybody to leave their homes,” he stated, comparing the situation to evacuation practices in hurricane zones.
This year, a borough-wide study ranked the area surrounding the Himalaya Road Fire as having the worst fire danger due to its narrow roads and dense vegetation, which could impede escape routes. The west Fairbanks neighborhood of Cripple Creek also faced similar risks as fire threats loomed.
In contrast, Daisy Huang, a resident of Violin Street in Cripple Creek, was readying herself for evacuation on Wednesday. Her bug-out bag was filled with essentials like a first aid kit, energy bars, water, and spare clothing as she prepared to leave. Meanwhile, hotel accommodations in Fairbanks were scarce and expensive, with many opting to stay with friends instead.
Although Huang’s neighborhood wasn’t under a current evacuation notice, the proximity of the Nenana Ridge Fire pushed her to leave early. Like many, she prioritized her family’s safety over their material possessions. “The question is, are you gonna die trying to save your house?” she posed, stressing the importance of ensuring her family and pets remain safe.
Huang’s perspective stemmed from family values emphasizing preparedness. “My grandparents were born and raised in China,” she explained, reflecting on her family’s history of fleeing for safety. “They ran from China to Taiwan with nothing but the clothes on their backs.”
Back in Haystack, Metzner and his neighbors were organizing a meeting with borough officials to discuss the evolving situation. Following the news of the downgraded evacuation warning, there were hopes for a successful outcome.
Metzner spoke of the community’s resilience and desire to learn from this experience, planning to hold another meeting post-crisis to discuss strategies that worked and those that didn’t. “Hopefully, we’ll celebrate the fact that we all pulled through, maybe with a barbecue.”
image source from：alaskapublic
