Fairbanks, AK – The 1,100-acre Small Arms 2 Fire, just across the Richardson Highway from Fort Wainwright, and the 10-acre Seven Mile Slough Fire, burning two miles southwest of Fairbanks International Airport, continue to put up smoke that is visible from Fairbanks. Both fires are being monitored and are expected to smolder, with occasional flaming, for an indefinite amount of time. With increased fire activity there's more smoke in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Air quality today is moderate. For information about air quality in the FNSB, call the Air Quality Specialist at 459-1325 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Boundary Fire Fire crews dropped back to hold the fire at Fairbanks Creek Road, and were able to protect two structures, after the fire moved across control lines near Kokomo Creek Road. Today the firefighters will continue to protect structures along Steese Highway and Fairbanks Creek Road. Crews will construct more dozer line along Fairbanks Creek Road and prepare the area for possible burnout operations. Residents of the Haystack area can call toll-free for fire information: 456-5510.
Central Complex Fire spread from the Crazy Mountains into drainages above Central and Circle, and crossed the Steese Highway between Central and Circle. Smoke made recon difficult, but it appears that the fire did not cross Birch Creek. The emphasis for today is on community and structure protection. Crews will be constructing contingency lines around Circle and Central as conditions permit. Expect significant delays along the Steese Highway.
Taylor Complex Crews bulldozed control lines northwest of Chicken and monitored the fire along the Taylor Highway. Firefighters constructed dozer line from mile marker 4 on the Taylor Highway, west to the Tanana River. Public access along the Taylor Highway was maintained with some delays. Today engines will monitor the fire along the Taylor Highway and control traffic as needed. All fires will be aerially mapped as smoke and weather conditions permit.
Eagle Complex Firefighters observed the fire creeping, smoldering, and occasional torching. The area's inversion has kept temperatures lower and humidity higher. The inversion is predicted to continue today, which will help keep fire spread low, but may increase smoke conditions. The weather conditions slightly reduce threat to the community of Eagle.
Evansville Fire Fire crossed the Winter Trail 1 miles southeast of the float pond. Fire crews and CL-215s continued work on the fire and developed preliminary plans for contingency lines further west. Today crews will attempt to burnout and hold the fire along Winter Trail from the float pond southeastward to 6 Mile Creek.
Wolf Creek Fire Crews worked adding dozer line and reinforcing contingency lines north of Monument Creek, and continued working on structure protection at Chena Hot Springs Resort and nearby private lands. Today crews will focus on structure protection and completion of additional dozer line, with possible burnout operations from contingency lines.
Solstice Complex A spot fire was observed across the Christian River from the Winter Trail fire. Today crews will reinforce lines on the Pingo Fire and assess the spot fire across the Christian River. Heavy smoke continues to hinder intelligence gathering on the fires.
For more fire information on individual fires, please call (907) 356-5511, or go on-line at http://fire.ak.blm.gov/