A dozen new wildfires were reported in Alaska Thursday, a mix of lightning and human caused blazes. Several are being fought, including an over 1,000 acre lightning start in the Delta Junction area, where more than 50 firefighters and air resources are working.
The largest fire in the state is the Coal Creek Fire, burning in remote country northeast of Healy. That fire was re- mapped yesterday at 4,800 acres. It’s burning in largely uninhabited country, but two fire fighters were dropped in to protect remote private properties.
Meanwhile, over 300 firefighters continue to secure the perimeter of the Moose Mountain fire in Fairbanks. The blaze consumed over 900 acres last weekend before being stopped by a massive aerial assault. 90 percent of its perimeter has been secured, but crews continue to hand cut through steep terrain and to widen the buffer.
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