Bonanza Creek

## Bonanza Creek Fire Report - July 29, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Bonanza Creek Fire, part of the Nenana Ridge Complex, was discovered on June 19, 2025, approximately 20 miles southwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. The exact time of ignition is not specified, but it is attributed to lightning. **Size and Containment**: As of July 28, 2025, the Bonanza Creek Fire has burned approximately 12,586 acres and is 22% contained. Earlier reports from July 25, 2025, indicated 12,566 acres and 15% containment. **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The primary fuel type is timber with grass and understory. Fire behavior has been described as moderate. Recent reports indicate that fire managers are continuing to monitor fires and downsize resources as assignments are completed, but some fires still require significant work, including mopping up and cutting down hazardous trees. Pockets of heat are expected to re-emerge as the fuel bed dries out. **Containment Efforts**: Firefighting efforts involve various crews, including the Pioneer Peak Interagency Hotshot Crew. Containment lines have been established on the Goldstream Creek Fire, also part of the Nenana Ridge Complex, with some areas in monitor and patrol status. Crews are actively engaged in fire suppression operations, including snagging (removing dead or hazardous trees) along roads and near structures. The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection is a primary agency involved in suppression efforts. ### Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering:** **Evacuation Status**: Evacuation levels were downgraded on Monday, July 21, 2025, by the Fairbanks North Star Borough and the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management along the Parks Highway corridor. **Mandatory Evacuation Orders (Level 3 - GO!)**: As of July 21, 2025, Level 3 "GO!" evacuation orders were in effect for areas outside the Borough: from the borough's western edge, 4.5 miles west; from Sled Road north for 7 miles from the Alaska Railroad. This includes Standard Creek Road and nearby timber harvest access areas, as well as areas more than half a mile west of the highway corridor from milepost 317 to the borough boundary. **Evacuation Warnings (Level 1 - READY, Level 2 - SET)**: As of July 23, 2025, Level 1 and 2 evacuations were in effect for the Himalaya Road Group fires. Nenana Ridge Complex fires also had Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuations in effect as of July 21 and July 23. **Evacuation Shelters and Information**: Local authorities and borough emergency services are coordinating shelters and evacuations. Residents are advised to register for alerts and keep a go-kit. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** **Road Safety**: Caution is advised for travel along the Parks Highway, particularly between mileposts 318 to 340, due to ongoing firefighter and equipment access. Pilot car operations are in place through an unrelated construction zone. For real-time road updates, visit 511.alaska.gov. Firefighting operations may affect traffic near active fire zones. **For more information, visit:** * [Alaska Wildland Fire Information](http://akfireinfo.com/) * [Alaska Division of Forestry](https://forestry.alaska.gov/fire/) * [Map of Fire - Alaska](https://www.mapoffire.com/alaska) ### Current Impact **Impacts:** **Structures Impacted**: While specific details on structures destroyed or damaged by the Bonanza Creek Fire are not readily available in the provided snippets, there have been active efforts to protect businesses, homes, and infrastructure along the Parks Highway. **Injuries and Fatalities**: No injuries or fatalities have been reported in relation to the Bonanza Creek Fire in the provided information. **School and Business Closures**: No specific school or business closures directly attributed to the Bonanza Creek Fire have been mentioned. **Notable Impacts**: Efforts have been made to protect values at risk, including businesses and homes, through burnout operations along the Parks Highway. **Safety Concerns:** **Power Outages**: No power outages have been specifically reported for the Bonanza Creek Fire. **Water Safety**: No specific water safety concerns have been reported. **Burn Bans**: Information on current burn bans or fire restrictions is not detailed in the provided snippets. However, wildfire season in Alaska can extend through the summer, and conditions can change rapidly. **Air Quality**: Widespread wildfire activity across central Alaska and Canadian provinces has generated extensive smoke, with the thickest smoke concentrated over central Alaska. Smoke forecasts are updated daily. Residents are advised to stay informed about air quality. ### Ongoing Outlook **Containment Projections**: Containment efforts are ongoing, with the Bonanza Creek Fire at 22% containment as of July 28, 2025. Fire managers are working to mop up hot spots and secure firelines. While conditions have moderated, there is potential for increased fire activity if hot and dry spells occur. **Weather and Wind Warnings**: As of July 28, 2025, the forecast for the Fairbanks area indicated a maximum temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit with 67% relative humidity. Surface winds were expected to be southwest between 6 and 9 mph, with ridgetop winds between 10 to 20 mph out of the southwest. Fire weather forecasts are updated daily. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate **Cause**: The Bonanza Creek Fire was caused by lightning. **Weather and Climate**: Lightning is a natural cause of wildfires in Alaska's boreal forest, which is characterized by dry conditions. The fire's behavior is influenced by fuel moisture, temperature, and wind. While recent weather has seen moderation, the potential for increased fire activity exists with the return of hot and dry conditions. Alaska's wildfire season can extend through the summer, with the possibility of increased activity depending on weather patterns. ### **For more information, visit:** * [Alaska Wildland Fire Information](http://akfireinfo.com/) * [Alaska Division of Forestry](https://forestry.alaska.gov/fire/) * [Map of Fire - Alaska](https://www.mapoffire.com/alaska)

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