Two Delta Junction wildfires in monitor status; two near full containment

Four wildfires are burning near Delta Junction this week, and the picture is mostly good news. Two small fires are nearly out, and two larger ones are being watched but not actively fought.

The Shaw Fire and the Pogo Fire both sit along the Pogo Mine Road corridor southeast of town. Together they cover roughly 1,850 acres. Both are in monitor status, which means the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection has decided not to assign active suppression crews. That's a judgment call based on location, terrain, and risk to people and structures. People traveling or living along that road should stay aware that conditions can shift if the weather turns.

The two smaller fires are close to done. The Granite Fire, about 17 miles southeast of Delta Junction, is 90% contained. Crews flew a thermal detection drone over the fire to find heat hiding beneath the tundra, then kept working to put it out.

The Rapeseed Fire, about 13 miles east of town, hit full containment at roughly 40 acres. Crews spent the day on mop-up, pulling out hot spots and removing hazard trees.

Burn permits remain suspended in the Tok and Delta Fire Prevention Areas due to dry conditions and warm temperatures. Debris burning, lawn burning, and burn barrels are all off the table for now. Cooking and warming fires are still allowed, but the agency is asking people to be careful.