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CCFR completes response to wildfire near Eagle Beach
- Jasz Garrett
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 21 hours ago
No injuries reported; public advised to use caution as dry, sunny weather expected to continue
By Jasz Garrett
Juneau Independent
This story has been updated with additional information, noting the fire was put out late Friday afternoon.
The U.S. Forest Service requested Capital City Fire/Rescue assistance with a wildland fire north of Juneau that was threatening cabins on Thursday afternoon. The fire was successfully put out late Friday afternoon, according to the fire department.
The initial request for assistance from the Forest Service came in at approximately 3 p.m. Thursday. CCFR had crews on scene near the Eagle Beach Picnic Area at about 5:30 p.m. The fire took place in steep terrain off the roadway.
The Eagle River United Methodist Camp was near the fire, but sustained no damage and did not need to be evacuated, according to CCFR.
"Crews worked until approximately 9 p.m. last night, successfully holding the fire in check," Fire Chief Tom Hatley wrote in an email Friday.
Forest Service resources included an engine, personnel on the ground and a helicopter conducting water drops. CCFR responded with a water tender and six personnel to assist with firefighting operations Thursday.
Crews returned to the active fire Friday morning to continue firefighting and mop-up operations. The fire's "footprint" was contained and is still estimated to be more than one acre, Hatley said in a phone interview at approximately 5 p.m.
"It stayed in check along the cliff, so they got a good stop on it," Hatley said.
He said there were no injuries reported and no structures were damaged. The public is not restricted from the area, but he asked that people be aware of emergency responders' vehicles parked alongside the road.
"The Forest Service has got a crew still on it, just finishing up mop-up," he said. "Today we just sent up our water tender with two people to assist them with mop-up."
The cause of the fire is still undetermined, with an investigation expected to be complete by the end of Friday.
Juneau is under a heat advisory and broke a daily temperature record Thursday. Hatley said the overall fire danger remains "low" but encouraged the community to be mindful.
"It's hot and dry and people need to make sure they're being responsible with campfires and so forth and make sure things are out before they leave," he said.
• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz@juneauindependent.com or (907) 723-9356.
