Delta Junction fire cluster: two contained, Granite at 85%

Two of five wildfires in the Delta Junction area are fully contained, but the Granite Fire remains at 85% contained with three crews still on the ground hunting hot spots through hazard trees and boggy terrain. The Pogo and Shaw fires, located on Pogo Mine Road north of Delta Junction, remain in monitor status.

Containment Status

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection reported June 25 that the Barley 2 Fire, 13 miles east of Delta Junction, is 100% contained and in monitor status. Personnel were demobilized after the fire was declared contained and controlled on June 24. The Rapeseed Fire, also 13 miles east, reached full containment by June 25, though mop-up is not finished. The White Mountain Type 2 Initial Attack Crew continues searching for remaining hot spots. The terrain around the Rapeseed is wet and boggy. Crews are moving personnel, equipment, and water by Nodwell tracked vehicle because no other access holds. As the agency noted, "The terrain remains wet, boggy, and difficult to access. The Nodwell remains an important tool for transporting personnel, equipment, supplies, and water through the challenging terrain."

The Granite Fire

The Granite Fire, burning in grass and spruce about 17 miles southeast of Delta Junction, is the cluster's remaining staffed fight. The Southwest Type 1 Crew, TCC Crew, and Clackamas Crew are assigned to it. Thermal detection drones are flying the perimeter to locate remaining heat. Firefighters are felling hazard trees with burned roots and piling dead and downed timber for burning to reduce residual fuel.

A Temporary Flight Restriction remains in place over the Granite Fire area. As the agency stated, "A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place and will continue tomorrow, meaning aircraft and drones that are not supporting firefighting operations are prohibited from flying over or near the incident."

Monitored Fires and Broader Context

The Pogo Fire, estimated at 396 acres and located approximately 2 miles north of Mile 27 on Pogo Mine Road, and the Shaw Fire, revised by aerial mapping to 1,166 acres south of the same road, are both in monitor status. Fire managers continue to evaluate weather conditions and fire activity on the Shaw Fire. The agency cautioned that "While fire behavior has moderated in areas of hardwoods, black spruce remains on the landscape and could support additional fire spread if weather conditions become more favorable."

As of June 25, the Barley 2 and Rapeseed fires are fully contained, the Granite Fire remains at 85% containment with three crews assigned, and the Pogo and Shaw fires remain in monitor status.