VIDEO: The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Interior Alaska, forecasting windy, hot and dry conditions in the area. Wildland firefighters continue to work toward containment of a series of wildfires including the Himalaya Fire north of Fairbanks, the Nenana Ridge Complex and the Bear Creek Fire along the Parks Highway north of Healy.
Sam Harrel, Information Officer with the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection (DOF), said the Red Flag Warning means conditions are critical for both the ignition of new fires and the spread of established ones. โPeople need to be very concerned,โ he said. โItโs not a special notice. This is a red flag warning. Itโs warm temperatures, very dry conditions, and with the forecasted wind, any sparked fire could spread rapidly.โ
He recommended that people in the area who are starting their holiday activities early exercise caution, especially with campfires. According to Harrel, the Himalaya Fire saw increased activity on Tuesday amid warm and sunny conditions, which are expected to continue through the next couple of days and into next week. โDefinitely a โwatch outโ situation for firefighters out there on the ground today,โ he added.
