by Maria Downey
Friday, June 25, 2010
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Willow Creek fire 10 miles southwest of Fairbanks has slowed its expansion because of damp weather.
According to the Fire Information Center, the wildfire is now at 2,300 acres. Light rain Thursday night helped lessen fire activity and smoke in the area.
Because the fire is burning on military land filled with unexploded ordnance, fire crews are not entering the area on foot. Instead, they are using helicopters and boats to keep an eye on the fire's progress.
"We have some smoke jumpers that are doing a boat patrol up and down Tanana River, and what they're doing is taking assessments on cabins or other resources that might be at risk if the fire gets any closer to the Tanana River," said fire information officer Sarah Saarloos.
Saarloos says so far no cabins in the area are at risk, but crews do have sprinkler protection kits to distribute just in case.
