Hastings Fire Doubles in Size as Hundreds Battle Wildfires in Interior Alaska

Fire officials say cooler weather is forecast, which will help suppression efforts but may push smoke over the Goldstream Valley and Fairbanks today.

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By Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Story Created: Jun 2, 2011 at 3:53 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jun 2, 2011 at 3:53 PM AKDT

FAIRBANKS - The Hastings Fire north of Fairbanks doubled in size Monday, fanned by a steady wind. The fire, now at 5,400 acres, grew to the north and northeast and is about five miles west of the Hayes Creek Subdivision.

A total of 334 personnel are working on the fire, protecting cabins and trying to keep the river from crossing the Chatanika River. A Type 1 Incident Management Team will take over on Friday due to the growing complexity and size of the response to the fire.

Fire officials say cooler weather is forecast, which will help suppression efforts but may push smoke over the Goldstream Valley and Fairbanks today. 

The East Volkmar Fire northeast of Delta Junction continues to grow and is now 39,000 acres. Efforts are focusing on structure protection in the Goodpaster and Volkmar areas. 

Cooler, damp weather has slowed the Coal Creek fire near Healy, which has been more accurately mapped at 22,311 acres. 

Twenty-eight personnel are working on the Anaconda Creek Fire in the Little Chena River drainage. The fire, now reported at 34 acres, was boxed in with retardant and 28 people are on scene.

Eight new fires were reported on Tuesday - five caused by lightning, one sparked by human activity and the remaining two are unknown. Damp weather is forecast over much of the Interior today, but winds are expected to increase this afternoon, with 30 mph northeast winds expected overnight. 

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matt said on Thursday, Jun 2 at 8:22 PM

As I quote the second paragraph on this article. .....''protecting cabins and trying to keep the river from crossing the Chatanika River.'' maybe it should read trying to keep the fire from crossing the river...??

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