Tyonek Fire Grows To 1,500 Acres

A fire near the village of Tyonek has grown to approximately 1,500 acres.

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Pete Buist is a Fire Information Officer with the Alaska Inter-Agency Coordination Center. He says most of the activity is at the north end of the fire, which has reduced the danger near Tyonek:

“We’re not completely out of the water there, but we are concerned this morning about Beluga and the power station there and the gas lines, and oil and gas infrastructure that’s there,” Buist said.

No evacuation is in effect for Beluga, but Buist says some residents may have opted to leave. Tyonek’s evacuation order has been lifted.

Buist expects increasing fire activity in the area during the afternoon.

“The height of the burning period is generally in the afternoon, when temperatures are highest, and relative humidities are lowest, and the wind is more active,” he said.

Approximately 90 people and two helicopters are working to contain the fire.