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Six Hotshot crews from lower 48 are working wildfires in Alaska

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , ,

Most of them are on the 23,200-acre Swan Lake Fire southwest of Anchorage

Swan Lake Fire Alaska
Swan Lake Fire southwest of Anchorage near Mystery Creek

Six Hotshot crews from Oregon and Montana arrived in Alaska this week to help suppress wildfires burning in the state.

  1. Lewis and Clark
  2. Lakeview
  3. Redmond
  4. Vale
  5. Wolf Creek
  6. Winema

Lewis and Clark is on the 300-acre Caribou Creek Fire 20 miles northeast of Fairbanks, while the other five are on the Swan Lake Fire which has burned 23,200 acres on the Kenai Peninsula 32 air miles southwest of Anchorage.

Swan Lake and Caribou Creek Fires Alaska
Map showing the location of the Swan Lake and Caribou Creek Fires in Alaska.

Alaska-based crews are also committed to fires in the state, including the Chena and Pioneer Peak Hotshot crews, plus 11 Type 2 crews.

At least 13 individuals from the lower 48 states are serving in overhead positions in Alaska.

The Swan Lake Fire is approximately 12 miles long and nearly 4 miles wide and continues to grow each day on the eastern flank as weather drives the fire primarily to the east and north. The addition of three type 2 Alaska hand crews as well as the recent influx of the Redmond, Wolf Creek, Vale, Winema and Lakeview Hotshot crews have bolstered efforts to establish direct and indirect lines on the critical east and southeastern perimeter lines.

Swan Lake Fire Alaska
Swan Lake Fire southwest of Anchorage, Alaska, June 18, 2019. Alaska DNR photo.

Below is an 80-second video update by Operations Chief Chris Wennogle about the Swan Lake Fire.

 

hotshot fire crew alaska
A Hotshot crew arrives in Alaska June 19. Photo by Robin Ace.
hotshot fire crew alaska
A Hotshot crew arrives in Alaska June 19. Photo by Robin Ace.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

11 thoughts on “Six Hotshot crews from lower 48 are working wildfires in Alaska”

  1. I’m praying for all firefighters’ safety including my son Michael Cooney, Lakeview HotShot crew.

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  2. May God bless and keep you all. My son is on Grouse Creek Fire as part of NJ Forest Fire Service team. Stay safe!

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  3. Thank you for your courage, strength, and commitment. You firefighters are in my thoughts and prayers everyday especially Kestrel, Zoe, and the hot shot crews. May God bless you and bring you home safe.

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  4. I’m praying for safety for all the firefighters, including my nephew Ryan.

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  5. Thank you all for helping us and keeping us safe may God bless you all and bring you home safe

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  6. Clarification: The jetload of crews that arrived on the 19th did go to the Swan Lake fire. The 5 crews that arrived on 6/22 were supposed to be split between Swan Lake and Caribou Creek but will all be assigned to Fire 319, Shovel Creek, NW of Fairbanks. A T2 IMT is also mobilizing to that fire. Additionally, AK went to PL4 this morning, another jet load of T1 and T2 IA crews will be mobilized north on 6/24, a long T2 IMT has been ordered for prepositioning, a USFS airtanker has arrived, there are two extra jumper ships in state, 46 smj boosters as of mid-day, and a significant number of new starts occurring and expected.

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      1. Yes Prayers for all .My Son just Left Today June 30.2019 His on the Feather river hot shot crew. I pray for them all n there safety.

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        1. We thank all of them for there help and there compassion! Please stay safe! God bless

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