Swamps, calmer winds slowing Horseshoe Fire

What's now called the Horseshoe Lake Fire, a 25-acre fire, has run into swampy terrain and slowed some. Norm McDonald with Alaska Dept. of Forestry reports that a fire line built by dozers could surround the fire within an hour, if no erratic winds kick up. Winds had slowed to 5 to 10 mph.

Crews and equipment are making good progress on fighting the off-road fire 2.4 miles northwest of Roger Road. A map is being made. Ten Borough firefighters and 20 plus State Forestry firefighters are working on the fire line now, according to Deputy Director of Emergency Services Ken Barkley.

Three dozers and a helicopter with a bucket have been working to suppress the blaze. McDonald said another helicopter was ordered from Fairbanks to arrive in the morning as well as the White Mountain hand crew.

Fire crews had to be transported by off road vehicles to get to the fire line.

Here's a photo from the field of crews going out in off-road vehicles to fight the fire by Bill Gamble, Director of Borough Emergency Services.