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Wildfire
Prescribed Fire
Burned Area
Response
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The Minto Lakes Fire (#349) started on June 21st and is a lightning caused fire. The fire is burning between Washington Creek and the Chatanika River. The Murphy Dome Road boat launch is being used as an access point to transport and support firefighters.
| Current as of | Wed, 07/20/2022 - 11:17 |
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| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | |
| Location | Minto Lakes/Chatanika River |
| Incident Description | |
| Coordinates |
65° 0' 36'' Latitude
-148° 44' 50
'' Longitude
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| Total Personnel: | 10 |
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| Size | 37,554 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 53% |
| Estimated Containment Date | 2022-07-30 00:00:00 |
| Fuels Involved | Timber (Grass and Understory) Timber (litter and understory) The primary driver of fire is fuels in 2011 Hasting fire scar, which is best represented by light logging slash/timber (grass & understory). Outside of existing fire scars, the primary fuels driver in order is grass patches (specific to area between/along Tatalina river and Washington creek), spruce forest, mixed hardwood forest (Aspen/Birch/Poplar) with greater than 50% spruce component. |
| Significant Events | Minimal Fire activity continues to diminish further each day over the fire area. The fire area had significant measurable rainfall overnight and will continue to see several rain showers throughout the day. The fire area will be covered with overcast to mostly cloudy skies and low temperatures. Humidity levels remain high and fuel moistures continue to climb. Fire activity will continue to diminish over the next few days due to continued weather patterns, but heat still remains in areas of exceptionally deep dry duff and heavy timbers. |
| Planned Actions |
Resources have been maintaining containment, mopping-up, and backhauling equipment in all divisions. Crews will complete suppression repair in all areas of suppression efforts. |
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| Projected Incident Activity |
12 Hours: Fire Activity and spread will be further diminished across the fire area due to cooler temperatures and significant precipitation. As moisture levels increase, fire activity and spread will decrease. Areas of little to no precipitation will continue to have potential for fire spread and growth as in the case of the area between Washington Creek and Tatalina River. 24 Hours: Fire Activity and spread will be further diminished across the fire area due to cooler temperatures and significant precipitation. As moisture levels increase, fire activity and spread will decrease. Areas of little to no precipitation will continue to have potential for fire spread and growth as in the case of the area between Washington Creek and Tatalina River. 48 Hours: Weather patterns will continue to cover the fire area with chances of significant precipitation. The patterns will further raise fuel moistures and further decrease fire Activity and the potential for spread significantly. The fire area will continue to experience cooler temperatures and periodic precipitation. As moisture levels increase, fire activity and spread will decrease further. Areas of little to no precipitation will continue to have potential for fire spread and growth as in the case of the area between Washington Creek and Tatalina River. 72 Hours: Fire Activity and spread will diminish further across the fire area due to cooler temperatures and extended periods of measurable precipitation. As moisture levels increase, fire activity and spread will decrease. Areas of little to no precipitation will continue to have potential for fire spread and growth as in the case of the area between Washington Creek and Tatalina River. |
| Remarks |
Crew and civilian safety have been a high priority for command staff. Crews have worked to protect critical infrastructure, cultural sites, and private assets while managing the fire in an environmentally and fiscally responsible approach. Once resources were available, they were transitioned from suppression to repair. Excess equipment was reassigned or released. |
| Weather Concerns | Southwest flow aloft continued Tuesday, bringing abundant moisture into Interior Alaska. Tuesday morning started off wet with 0.2-0.3 inches of rain falling over the fire area. Rain tapered off to showers by 9:30am though. Temperatures only climbed into the low to mid 50s, and remained in the upper 40s over ridgetops. A few showers lasted through the afternoon. Relative humidities did not drop below 60%, and winds were from the southwest at 5-10 mph, with some gusts to 15-20 mph over ridgetops. Wednesday is expected to be a much drier day as low pressure to the northwest of the fire area moves north and weakens. Flow aloft also turns southerly, with the Alaska Range shadowing the fire area out of most precipitation in the area. Just a few isolated showers are expected. High temperatures will be in the upper 50s to mid 60s with relative humidities dropping to around 50% under partly cloudy skies in the afternoon. Winds will be from the southeast at 3-7 mph in valleys and along slopes and 5-10 mph over ridgetops. |
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