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Bean Complex email: 2022.bean@firenet.gov; Tel. 503-894-6694

Bean Complex Update June 30, 2022

The Bean Complex fires are burning on lands managed by DOI Bureau of Land Management and the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, along the Tanana Valley west of Fairbanks extending to the Cosna River. Fire protection is under the Alaska Fire Service.

This complex is now comprised of 5 fires, as fires 346 and 366 have merged. The fires are burning primarily in black spruce, most in areas with no record of fire in the past 50 years. The current fires total 64,091 acres. All except the 327 fire are being fought under a “Point Zone Protection” strategy, where structures are protected with minimal fire perimeter control work. Fire 327 is a full suppression fire.

The fire numbers, names, and acreage as of 6/30 are:

310 - Tanana River 9,279 acres; 312/342 - Bitzshitini 16,940 acres; 315/314 - Chitanana 32,462 acres;                   327 - Hutlinana 407 acres; 343 Dragon and 366 Oval have merged into the 5,003 acre Dragon Fire.

·      The Tanana River Fire  has structure protection underway near Deadman Lake, where smokejumpers are focused on protecting 12 cabins by clearing brush and setting up pumps and sprinklers. Work is also focused around the Roadhouse, where firing operations with helicopter bucket support is underway.

·      On the Bitzshitini Fire smokejumpers are working to protect structures.

·      On the Chitanana Fire smokejumpers and one Hotshot crew are protecting approximately 10 cabins.

·      On the Hutlinana Fire three crews of firefighters are mopping and securing fire line, with up to 300’ cold perimeter achieved in some areas.

·      The Dragon Fire is burning within a 2018 wildfire scar. Firefighters are monitoring for any southward spread that could require structure protection.

Today firefighters will continue protection of structures utilizing pumps and sprinklers, and conduct firing operations where the fire is approaching structures. Work will continue to mop and secure the Hutlinana Fire.

Weather conditions for the upcoming week will favor rapid rate of fire spread with high temperatures, low humidity, and enough wind to drive the fires. The weather will become progressively warmer and the air mass drier through the week. All fires except Hutlinana are expected to show moderate to large growth.

With the risk of thunderstorms late in the week, please do your part to prevent new fires. Any new ignitions will continue to impact available resources. Be very careful with off-highway vehicle travel or any other potential source of ignition.