Single Publication

Grapefruit Complex

Daily Update: Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Alaska Incident Management Team 3

Incident Commander: Peter Butteri  

Location: 40 Miles north of Fairbanks 

Complex Acres:  90,699

Personnel: 183 

Containment: 0%

Completed Structure Preparation: 85%

With clearer skies, satellite imagery and infrared flights were able to map the fire perimeter more accurately, resulting in an acreage increase. Firefighters continue to account for and remove hoses, sprinklers, and pumps to return equipment to the BLM Alaska Fire Service Cache at Fort Wainwright. The fires will be observed by air to continually assess Elliott Highway, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, Native allotments, and public and private structures as the organization continues to scale down due to moderated fire activity. 

Rain is expected to return Tuesday, with heavy rainfall over the Iver and Slate fires. The Globe Fire is expected to receive enough moisture to soak the soil and vegetation, while areas to the east will likely experience light rain. Fog, low clouds, and low visibility are expected in the morning, with a slight improvement in the afternoon. Winds will be lighter from the south-southeast, with gusts up to 15 mph and sustained winds between 4-9 mph.

The Grapefruit Complex includes the Globe Fire (#253), Iver Fire (#249), Eagle Fire (#306), Wilber Fire (#308), Noodor Fire (#192), and Fossil Fire (#115) - The Fossil Fire has been declared out by fire managers as of July 8.

Evacuations: The current levels are represented as: Ready (Green): Elliot Hwy MM 18-65 / Set (Yellow): None currently.  Go (Red): None currently.

Smoke: The fire perimeter is unlikely to change. However, as daytime temperatures rise in the upcoming weeks if the fuels dry out, some of the held heat through the rain event may produce smoke. Please turn on your headlights to help ensure the safety of firefighters and flaggers working in the area.

Road access: The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities will implement a 12-hour closure from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for permanent repairs at milepost 57 the week of July 15. These repairs are not associated with fire activity or suppression efforts. Check https://511.alaska.gov/ for additional road updates. Please turn on your headlights is advised to help ensure the safety of firefighters and flaggers working in the area.

Closures:  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Eastern Interior Field Office closed the western portion of the White Mountains National Recreation Area surrounding the Wickersham Dome Trailhead at mile 28 Elliott Highway. The closure is in effect until Sept. 1, unless the BLM determines the area is safe for public use at an earlier time.