UPDATE 2 – June 27, 2019 – Thursday

Credit: AK Forestry

Incident Summary | A wildfire named the SHOVEL CREEK FIRE was ignited by lightning on June 21, 2019, is burning about 3 miles north of Murphy Dome and 20 miles northeast of Fairbanks, Alaska in the Fairbanks Area Zone in the AK Department of Forestry lands.

FIRE FACT | There are currently 11 new wildfire starts in the last 24 hours

Resources | There are currently 245 personnel assigned, along with 8 crews, 10 engines and 7 helicopters.

The IC of this incident is also managing the NUGGET CREEK FIRE located about 16 miles northeast of North Pole, Alaska.

Credit: AK Fire Info

FIRE FACT | There are currently 13 staffed wildfires, while 99 are being monitored.

Current Status | Fire crews are tasked with continued direct attack suppression operations and working to contain a spot fire that crossed over Shovel Creek and uphill into an old fire scar from the 2009 HARDLUCK CREEK FIRE.  They are currently using air support for fire suppression and containment efforts.  Fire behavior is being reported to be active with a high rate of spread along with torching and continued spotting throughout the evening.

FIRE FACT | There have been 2 RX fires for a total 13,615 acres.

Alerts | Those who live in the Murphy Dome subdivision were put on  high alert for a Level 1: Get Ready notification which means fire nearby and to be ready at a moment’s notice. This notice was given to residents in this area by Fire Officials.

FIRE FACT |  Crews have successfully put out 5 wildfires.

Incident Cooperators | Incident Cooperators include the Fairbanks North Star Burough, Department of Emergency Services, AK DOF, BLM AK Fire Service and the Chena Goldstream Fire Department.

FIRE FACT | There are currently 130 wildfires burning in Alaska.

Damage Assessments | The fire has now destroyed 1,622 acres of timber destroyed up from the 650 acres, from only a few days ago.  There is still no containment gained on this fierce fire.  Cost-to-date fire suppression and containment status expenses have reached $1.2 Million dollars.

(c) 2019 NW Fire Blog – Updated @ 2130  hours PDT

UPDATE 1 – June 24, 2019 – Monday

Incident Summary | A wildfire named the SHOVEL CREEK FIRE was ignited by lightning on June 21, 2019, is burning about 3 miles north of Murphy Dome and 20 miles northeast of Fairbanks, Alaska in the Fairbanks Area Zone in the AK Department of Forestry lands.

Credit: BLM AK Fire Service

Resources | Command is currently under the direction of an IMT Type 2 (AK Green Team) which took over at 0700 hours this morning.   There are 146 total fire personnel along with 5 crews and one helicopter.  More are on order and en route to assist.

FIRE FACT | There were 24 new wildfires that ignited on Sunday, June 23rd

Current Status | The IC has requested additional resources that include water scooping aircraft, air retardant tankers and smoke jumpers for initial attack on the fire.

High Valued Assets | Fire managers are working closely with Incident Cooperators to address vital high assets in the area that include primary homes and private properties in Martin, Lincoln and McCloud subdivisions along the Chatanika River corridor.  Additionally, they are looking to protect Department of Defense (DOD) infrastructure on Murphy Dome and native allotments west of the fire.

Credit: BLM AK Fire Service

Incident Cooperators | Incident Cooperators include the Fairbanks North Star Burough, Department of Emergency Services, AK DOF, BLM AK Fire Service and the Chena Goldstream Fire Department.

FIRE FACT | Of the 24 new wildfires, 2 of them are Large Incidents (Big Fires)

Air Quality | Smoke is expected to blow into Fairbanks in the next few weeks.

Damage Assessments | 650 acres of timber destroyed. 0% containment status.  The total cost-to-date for fire suppression and containment is $747,000.00.

The SWAN LAKE FIRE in Fire Images on Social Media:

Fire ignited from lightning on June 21st. It burns 3 miles north of Murphy Dome. 200 acres with active fire behavior. Credit: AK Forestry

Fire on June 22nd burns near Murphy dome, northwest of Fairbanks. 400 acres. | Credit: BLM AK Fire Service

Fire burns on June 23rd with a dramatic wind shift to the north. Credit: BLM AK Fire Service

(c) 2019 NW Fire Blog – Updated @ 2045 hours PDT