VIDEOS: Agencies monitoring wildfires in Alaska have elevated the state from Preparedness Level 3 to Preparedness Level 4 out of 5 as wildfire activity grows across the state. While cooler weather is on the horizon for areas of Alaska with wildfires, the activity hasnโt yet died down. Smoke settled into the Fairbanks area Monday as nearby wildfires consumed thousands of acres. As of Monday afternoon, multiple state agencies were reporting 188 total active blazes โ including 10 new ones between Sunday and Monday โ of which 24 are staffed with suppression efforts.
Bear Creek Fire: The Division of Forestry reported Monday that the Bear Creek wildfire along the Parks Highway northwest of Healy has grown to over 26,000 acres. The blaze has closed the roadway on and off for periods of time, the division said, between mileposts 259 to 278. The division said to expect possible closures and pilot car operations in that area.
Gilmore Trail Fire: The Gilmore Trail Fire northeast of Fairbanks in the Steele Creek Road area has shown little activity since Friday, growing around half an acre, and Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Grier Hopkins says crews have successfully created a containment perimeter around the blaze. The borough has downgraded the evacuation level in the area from โGOโ to โREADY.โ
Himalaya Road Fire: The Himalaya Road Fire near the Elliott Highway directly north of Fairbanks has grown to 3,319 acres as of Monday, prompting a โGOโ level evacuation order from the borough in much of the immediate area, including Haystack Drive, Himalaya Road and the Elliott itself, affecting 210 people. Hopkins said six homes were in immediate danger over the weekend, but so far, no structures have been lost to the fire.
Aggie Creek Fire: Just west of the Himalaya Road Fire, another wildfire at Aggie Creek on Monday reached 922 acres in size, although it has so far kept a distance from major roads.
