Single Publication

 Lime Complex June 24th update: Water dropping aircraft utilized to cool down the fires edge 

June 24, 2022, Daily Update, 9:30 am 

The total complex size is 518,710 acres. There are over 213 total resources assigned to the various fires, including two Type 1 Hotshot crews, one Type 2 Initial Attack Hand crew, four helicopters and various overhead.  

Highlights: Firefighters made progress on the structure protection plans for values at risk in multiple impacted areas. These plans are in place due to the anticipation of increased movement of the fire perimeters. Forecasted wind and warmer weather has the potential to increase fire activity and create visible columns of smoke throughout the day. The smoke may impact some of the surrounding villages. Community members are encouraged to stay away from the fire activity in the area and prepare for potential smoke when the wind shifts.  

Weather:  The warming and drying trend is still on track with Friday expected to be the driest day and Saturday expected to be the warmest. Gusty southeast winds will also push through the Alaska Range for the southwest corner of the complex on Saturday. These conditions are prime for carrying fire across the landscape. Fire Managers are preparing values at risk and communities that could be impacted.  
 

Staffed Fires in the Complex 

North Group consists of the South Lime Lake Fire (#190)/Swift River Fire (#228), Pike Creek (#239)/Koktuli River (#240), Door Mountain Fire (#244), Door Creek Fire (#273) and the Hook Creek Fire (#188) 

There was activity and growth on the fire yesterday and more expected today. A smoke column was visible and pushing smoke in the surrounding areas. The same weather and fire behavior is expected for today. Gannett Glacier Fire crew is continuing the work to prepare it with pumps and hoses to complete it as a contingency for the village. The rest of the supplies should be received in the next couple days to complete the contingency line. As weather increases potential for increased fire activity, the crews are in place and postured to protect the values at risk in and around the village of Lime. 

The Helitack crew and rappelers completed their work from Tundra and Trout Lake to prepare the values at risk, and to prepare cabins and outlying structures for the potential for any threat of fire. The crews are now preparing the area to conduct a planned burn out operation, if the conditions allow, to be able to secure the area with a buffer of purposeful fire line. This burn out is a defensive tactic to remove fuel in between the path of the main fire and the values at risk, to slow down the progress of that main body of the fire.  

Pike Creek (#239)/Koktuli River (#240) ~ 139,025 combined acres, Lighting start; point protection and structure protection are ongoing. The fire remains 36 miles north of Iguigig. 

The fire was producing a visible smoke column and pushing to the areas along the Koktuli and Mulchatna rivers. A fixed wing water dropping aircraft was utilized to cool down the southern edge around the tight zig zag lines in the river, where fire is typically challenging to hold at that natural feature. The fire crews with assistance of aircraft successfully held the fire from crossing the river as of yesterday. The firefighters are present around the area and are continuously patrolling for any spots. With the wind influence, growth to the southern end is to be expected throughout the next week. The crews are also focusing on building contingency lines in the event natural barriers are not enough to keep it contained.  

Both an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) drone module, and helicopter remain assigned to these fires to monitor fire movement, and to act as necessary on identified known sites.   

Aghaluk Mountain (#206) ~117,209 acres, Lightning start, point protection and structure protection are ongoing. The fire remains 51 miles east of Aniak.  

The fire activity has been moderate for the last couple days. Firefighters have successfully held the fire and continue to improve their structure protection measures. Fire managers are tightening up the plan of engagement in the event the fire moves at all. Winema hotshots are finishing up their preparation of the area and will be extracted to be utilized in other areas as needed. 

Upper Talarik (#205) ~2,776 acres, Lighting start, point protection, and structure protection are ongoing. The fire is 16 miles from Iliamna.  

Two days of burning operations were conducted as a defensive measure to protect the area. Water scooping aircraft have been ordered to assist in keeping the active fire edges checked to prevent spread. This fire continues to show active fire movement along the southwest perimeter due to the impacts of weather that have been experienced. The Unaweep Fire Module is still working on this fire and is monitoring the burn operation that they conducted to make sure that their lines will hold successfully.  

Unstaffed Fires 

Dummy Creek Fire (#247)~ 178 acres 

Cabin Creek Fire (#193)~ 74 acres 

Gagaryah River Fire (#197)~ 34,874 acres 

Kiknik Fire (245)~ 45,734 acres 

Maka Creek Fire (#207)~ 1 acre 

Nushagak River Fire (#189)~ 10 acres 

Stony River Fire (#198) ~ 35,995 acres 

Telaquana River Fire (#216) ~7,791 acres, 

Titnuk Creek Fire (#246)~ 53,290 acres,  

Due to the vastness of this area, many of these fires do not have Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) in place. However, a significant number of aircraft including fixed wing aerial observation platforms; general logistics aircraft; helicopters moving personnel; and supplies and dropping water, will be working all throughout southwest Alaska. With the expected increase in fire activity, aircraft presence may also increase. As such, there is potential to have a TFR set up to protect aerial fire operations. 

Lime Complex fires under the Black Team management include #188, 189, 190, 193 197, 198, 205, 206, 207, 216, 228, 239, 240, 244, 245, 246, 247 and 273. As threats increase to values at risk, updates on suppression strategy and tactics will be provided.  

Public Information: Phone number:(907) 290-2699, Email 2022.limecomplex@firenet.gov, Facebook: facebook.com/AK.Forestry/ Website: alaskafireinfo.com, Twitter:@AKforestry