Page 2 - Salcha River News Today

Evacuation statuses for some Denali Borough communities are set to be downgraded as crews make progress on several fires in the Anderson Complex, according to management team officials.

Firefighters have created a four-mile contingency line in the Haystack Community to help protect properties from the Lost Horse Creek Fire.

Tuesday’s rain and thunderstorms provided some relief for crews battling several Interior fires.

But firefighters are keeping a close eye on the long-term forecast that calls for warmer-than-usual weather to return.

Alaska’s total wildfire size grew to 220,000 acres as of Monday after fires grew mostly in Interior Alaska.

Hot and dry weather combined with Chinook winds have resulted in Red Flag warnings and fire weather watches for large portions of Interior Alaska for Saturday and Sunday.

The National Weather Service issued a fire weather watch for the weekend as temperatures are likely to move into the 90s with winds from the south fanning wildfire flames.

Fire crews remain engaged in wildfires across the Interior on Friday. 62,890 acres have burned statewide in 144 active fires.

This story was updated at 11:15 a.m. August 3, 2023

As expected, hotter and drier conditions are making wildfires more active this week as temperatures rise. Firefighters are preparing for that.