friday, july 16, 2021 update on the Yankovich road fire #347
BY THE ALASKA DIVISION OF FORESTRY
Here is a link to a short YouTube video from Bob Bolton https://youtu.be/DIueF91GUKU
"Bob Bolton shot this video of Fire Boss water scoopers making water bombing drops on the Yankovich Road Fire in west Fairbanks
from the top of the International Arctic Research Center on the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Aircraft were able to successfully knock down the fire and firefighters are attacking it on the ground to get a control line around it.
The fire is approximately 3.5 acres."
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5:00 PM UPDATE: YANKOVICH ROAD IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC TO ENSURE A SAFE WORKING
ENVIRONMENT FOR FIREFIGHTERS WORKING TO CONTAIN THE YANKOVICH ROAD FIRE.
Water bombers and helicopters have made good progress in slowing the spread of the 5-acre fire between Lepus Avenue
and Weston Drive off Yankovich Road, about one-half mile south of the UAF Large Animal Research Station.
The fire size is holding and three crews are on scene working to get a control line around the fire.
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4:00 PM Update: Here's a map showing the location of the Yankovich Road Fire we are currently doing initial attack on.
The fire is in a wooded area between Lepus Avenue and Weston Drive. Four water-scooping aircraft have been bombing
it with water and two helicopters are on scene making water drops to try and contain the fire while crews are mobilized.
Eight smokejumpers have landed and are hiking into the fire, which is about one-half mile off the road system.
Helitack and engines are also on scene.
ORIGINAL POST: The Alaska DNR- Division of Forestry (DOF) is currently responding to an estimated 5-acre wildfire
near Weston Drive and Yankovich Road in west Fairbanks.
Please avoid the area so as not to interfere with firefighters doing inital attack on the fire.
The fire is burning in black spruce and exhibiting rank 4 fire behavior (on a scale of 1-6 with 6 the highest)
with single tree torching and flame lengths of 10-12 feet. There are numerous structures in the area,
one of which is only about 100 yards north of the fire.
A helicopter is rigging up to drop water on the fire and Helitack and engines are
on scene to engage the fire. Four water scoopers have also been ordered to the fire.
A local pilot reported the fire at 2:41 p.m. The fire put up a large smoke column that prompted
multiple calls to the Northern Forestry Dispatch Center.
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As a reminder, the quickest way to get information is via text message. We strongly encourage FNSB residents and
visitors to sign up to receive wildland fire information and updates by text message.
It’s simple and EASY to do. On your smartphone, simply text this word FNSB2021Wildfire to 226787, and you will be signed up.
Remember, these are your official sources of fire information:
Alaska DNR Facebook: @AK.Forestry
Wildland fire information (statewide): http://fire.ak.blm.gov
Alaska Wildland Fire Info: https://akfireinfo.com/
