Sockeye Fire 96 percent Contained

Firefighters have contained 96 percent of the 7,220-acre Sockeye Fire.  Crews continue working small sections of uncontained perimeter near the Susitna River, Willow Creek and Little Willow Creek.

Management of the Sockeye Fire will transition from the Alaska Interagency Type 1 Incident Management Team to a Type 3 fire management organization on Saturday, June 27. About 80 firefighters will remain under the Type 3 organization. The Incident Command Post will move from the Houston High School to the Willow Community Center.

Cooler weather will prevail over the weekend with a chance of precipitation. Firefighters will continue to patrol the area and begin rehabilitation efforts, including repairing roads and fire lines.

This will be the last Sockeye Fire update issued by the Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team. For Sockeye Fire information, call the Alaska Division of Forestry area public information officer, (907) 761-6233, or the Alaska Fire Service Joint Information Center, (970) 356-5511.

Firefighters are urging the public to use caution in the burned area because of remaining deep pockets of hot ash and fire-weakened trees that can come down without warning. If you must enter a burned area, wear boots, long sleeves and long pants.

Firefighters expect minor fire activity will continue within the burn perimeter for weeks or more after containment, even following rain. Scattered smoke and small flames should be expected and do not need to be reported. Report anything that involves a structure or is an imminent threat to life or property.

Area residents and travelers on the Parks Highway are asked to be alert and to drive carefully because of continued firefighting activity.

Flight restrictions
The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place for the Sockeye Fire has been lifted. Firefighters appreciate the patience of the area pilots during these restrictions.