Starry Fire hits 70% containment; wetting rain expected Friday night

The Starry Fire near Anderson reached 70% containment Friday as crews continued mop-up operations and the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection announced it would end evening updates because of firefighting progress and forecast rain.

The 547-acre fire was reported June 20 and was linked to lightning. Evacuation status for Anderson was reduced from GO to SET and then to READY as firefighting progress continued. Containment stood at 60% on June 25, rose to 65% later that same day as crews cut through jack straw to reach heat underneath, and reached 70% Friday. Incident Commander Torrey Short said efforts have been focused on preventing the fire from threatening the communities of Anderson and Clear. Firefighters worked 50 to 100 feet in from the fire perimeter Friday, extinguishing areas of heat.

Three Type 6 engines from Anderson, Fairbanks, and the Tongass National Forest focused Friday on a section of fire that had slopped over Crescent Road on the south side. The crews eliminated all visible heat except for one area roughly 300 feet inside the fire's edge.

The Mooseheart Type 2 crew, a federal contract crew, gridded a 1.5-acre spot fire on the south section and plans to call it out by the end of the next shift. The Fairbanks 1 Type 2 crew cut a helispot on the east side of the fire, where the Fairbanks 1 and Clearwater Type 2 crews are working, though it remains pending approval.

Rain is forecast for Friday evening, with a greater than 50% chance of wetting rain and thunderstorms on Saturday. The agency defines wetting rain as more than one-tenth of an inch. The Division of Forestry and Fire Protection said Friday's update would be the last evening report on the Starry Fire unless significant activity occurs, with daily updates replacing the evening schedule going forward.

The Seventeenmile Fire remains under state monitoring, with no significant activity reported. The Lost Fire was placed in monitor status after firefighters worked the fire Wednesday and Thursday, digging up and cutting out all heat.