Sand Lake

## Sand Lake Fire Report - July 28, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Sand Lake Fire was reported approximately one month ago, with an initial location 14.5 miles northeast of Dry Creek, Alaska. The fire was discovered on February 7, 2025, at 12:42 p.m. **Size and Containment**: As of the latest available information, the Sand Lake Fire is estimated to be 6,337.53 acres. Containment figures are not readily available, with one report indicating "N/A". However, other reports from late June and early July suggest minimal growth, with the fire holding at approximately 4,893 acres. **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The primary fuels consist of timber, grass, and understory. Fire behavior has been described as minimal, with backing, creeping, and single tree torching observed. In late June, there were reports of isolated torching noted on the southeast end of the Sand Lake Fire, with similar weather conditions forecast. Despite some warmer and drier conditions in late June and early July, there have been no new fire growth observations reported in recent updates. **Containment Efforts**: Resources have been focused on point protection of structures and Native allotments around Sand Lake and near Lake George. Structure preparation work has been completed in these areas. Efforts are also underway to verify maps in preparation for potentially reassigning personnel to other fires where resources are needed. A total of 56 personnel were assigned to the Sand Lake and Twelvemile Lake fires as of June 30, 2025. ### Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering:** **Evacuation Orders/Warnings**: As of June 22, 2025, Level 1 and 2 (READY, SET) evacuation levels were in place for some areas related to fires in the Interior of Alaska, including those near the Sand Lake Fire. Specific evacuation orders or warnings directly for the Sand Lake Fire are not detailed in the provided information from the last 72 hours, but residents in affected areas are advised to stay alert and monitor for updates. **Evacuation Shelters and Information**: Information regarding specific evacuation shelters for the Sand Lake Fire is not available in the recent reports. Residents are advised to refer to local authorities and borough emergency services for the most current evacuation information. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** Road closures related to the Sand Lake Fire are not explicitly detailed in the recent reports. However, general advice for travelers in active fire zones in Alaska includes checking 511.alaska.gov for real-time road closures and conditions and avoiding travel in affected areas unless absolutely necessary. **For more information, visit:** * [Alaska Wildland Fire Information](https://akfireinfo.com/) * [Alaska 511](https://511.alaska.gov/) ### Current Impact **Impacts:** **Structures Impacted**: Efforts have been concentrated on point protection of structures and Native allotments around Sand Lake and near Lake George. Crews have completed structure preparation work in these areas. **Injuries and Fatalities**: No injuries or fatalities have been reported in relation to the Sand Lake Fire in the provided information. **School and Business Closures**: No school or business closures directly attributed to the Sand Lake Fire have been reported in the last 72 hours. **Notable Impacts**: The focus of operations has been on protecting structures and Native allotments, indicating potential values at risk in the vicinity of the fire. **Safety Concerns:** **Power Outages**: No power outages have been reported in connection with the Sand Lake Fire. **Water Safety**: No specific water safety concerns have been reported. **Burn Bans and Fire Restrictions**: General fire restrictions and advisories are common in Alaska during wildfire season. For specific information on burn bans and fire restrictions, residents should consult local authorities and the Alaska Division of Forestry. **Air Quality**: While specific air quality alerts for the Sand Lake Fire are not detailed in the recent reports, smoke from wildfires in Alaska can impact air quality in populated areas. Residents experiencing smoke should stay indoors and limit outdoor activity, especially those with respiratory conditions. ### Ongoing Outlook **Containment Projections**: Recent reports indicate that crews have completed stated objectives on the Sand Lake Fire and are working to verify maps, potentially in preparation for reassigning resources. Fire behavior has remained minimal, with no new growth observed in recent updates. **Weather and Wind Warnings**: The weather forecast for Anchorage and the surrounding areas, including Sand Lake, indicates a chance of rain and cloudy conditions over the next several days. Isolated thunderstorms have been forecast to continue through the end of July. While warmer and drier conditions were noted in late June and early July, the current forecast suggests a return to more unsettled weather. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate **Cause**: The cause of the Sand Lake Fire is listed as undetermined in some reports, while others suggest it was caused by lightning. **Weather and Climate**: Wildfires in Alaska are a natural part of the ecosystem, but climate change is contributing to increased fire frequency and intensity. Factors such as earlier snowmelt, higher temperatures, and more frequent lightning strikes are altering Alaska's fire environment. The accumulation of "duff" (organic material on the forest floor) in Alaska's boreal forests creates a unique fuel bed that can spread fire easily and make burns difficult to control. While recent weather has brought some moisture, the overall trend of warmer and drier conditions, coupled with increased lightning activity, contributes to the wildfire risk. ### For more information, visit:** * [Alaska Wildland Fire Information](https://akfireinfo.com/) * [Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection](https://forestry.alaska.gov/) * [InciWeb - Incident Information System](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/)

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