Aggie Creek

## Aggie Creek Fire Report - July 29, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Aggie Creek Fire was discovered on June 20, 2025, approximately 23 miles northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. It was started by a lightning strike. **Size and Containment**: As of July 28, 2025, the fire has burned approximately 34,837 acres and is 5% contained. Previous reports indicated 35,146 acres as of July 27, 2025. **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The fire is primarily burning in black spruce and timber, with boreal spruce being the main driver of spread. Birch and aspen stands are resisting spread unless conditions are very dry. Recent fire footprints are limiting spread to creeping, but older fire scars are supporting spread. Fire activity has been minimal in the last 72 hours due to cooler and wetter conditions, with fire behavior primarily consisting of creeping and smoldering in lingering hotspots. Some interior smoke was observed over the weekend, but it was contained within the perimeter and not threatening infrastructure. **Containment Efforts**: Firefighters are continuing to patrol and monitor the perimeter of the burn. Efforts include backhauling equipment, repairing areas impacted by heavy equipment, and exposing and extinguishing heat within berms. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the fire area. ### Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering:** **Evacuation Level**: Level 1 "READY" evacuations are in effect for the Aggie Creek Fire area. This means residents should be prepared for potential evacuation, but no mandatory orders are currently in place. **Evacuation Zones**: The evacuation readiness applies to communities along the Elliott Highway corridor near the fire. **Shelters**: Specific evacuation shelters have not been detailed in the available information, but local authorities coordinate evacuation support as needed. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** * No road closures have been reported directly due to the Aggie Creek Fire. * Drivers are advised to exercise extreme caution on Elliott Highway due to firefighting activity and to avoid stopping in the area. * The Olnes Pond and Whitefish Campground remain closed to the public for use by fire crews. **For more information, visit:** * [Alaska Fire Info]: https://akfireinfo.com/ * [Alaska Department of Natural Resources - Division of Forestry]: https://forestry.alaska.gov/ * [Alaska 511 Road Conditions]: https://511.alaska.gov/map ### Current Impact **Impacts:** **Structures Impacted**: There are no reports of structures destroyed or lives lost related to the Aggie Creek Fire at this time. **Infrastructure**: No major infrastructure damage has been reported. **Community Impact**: Residents in the Elliott Highway corridor are under a Level 1 "READY" evacuation status. **Safety Concerns:** * **Power Outages**: No power outages have been reported. * **Water Safety**: No specific water safety concerns have been reported. * **Burn Bans/Fire Restrictions**: No specific burn bans or fire restrictions have been detailed, but the general fire activity necessitates caution. * **Air Quality**: Smoke from the fire may affect local air quality, but cooler and wetter weather has helped reduce smoke impacts recently. For smoke outlook updates, residents can visit: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/e16e3fa2. * **Other Health Risks**: Drivers on Elliott Highway must remain alert for firefighting personnel and equipment. Unauthorized drone flights are prohibited over the fire area due to safety risks to firefighters. ### Ongoing Outlook **Containment Projections**: Containment is expected to remain challenging due to the nature of the fuels and the potential for warmer, drier weather to increase fire activity. However, cooler and wetter conditions are forecast to continue through midweek, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms increasing throughout the week. **Weather and Wind Warnings**: The forecast indicates a chance of showers and thunderstorms increasing as the week progresses, with a 35-45% chance of rain on July 28 and an 85-95% chance on July 29. Temperatures are expected to be in the 60s to low 70s, with breezy northeast winds. Tomorrow and Sunday are expected to be dry and warm with temperatures in the mid-70s. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate **Cause**: The Aggie Creek Fire was ignited by lightning. **Weather and Climate**: The fire's behavior has been influenced by recent cooler and wetter weather, which has helped slow its spread and keep activity minimal. However, the forecast for warmer and drier conditions returning later in the week could increase fire activity. Alaska's wildfire seasons are increasingly linked to broader climate change patterns, with warmer temperatures and drier conditions creating more favorable environments for fires to ignite and spread. ### For more information, visit: * [Alaska Fire Info]: https://akfireinfo.com/ * [Alaska Department of Natural Resources - Division of Forestry]: https://forestry.alaska.gov/ * [Alaska 511 Road Conditions]: https://511.alaska.gov/map

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