Minto Flats South Fire

The Minto Flats South Fire was a large lightning-caused wildfire in Interior Alaska south of Fairbanks that ignited in late June 2009. It was by far the largest in what was termed the "Railbelt complex" of fires, so named because they were all near the main route of the Alaska Railroad. By July 16 it had burned more than 156,469 acres (63,321 ha). Alaska was experiencing an unusually hot and dry start to the summer season, which in turn led to a very active wildfire season. By the time the Minto Flats fire had become the largest fire in Alaska, over seventy other blazes were active throughout the state, stretching resources to their limits. The main body of the fire was deemed too large to actually try to extinguish, and firefighting efforts were focused from the beginning on protecting lives and property. In mid July it had grown to over 20,000 acres (8,100 ha), and was rapidly expanding along its souther edge; smokejumpers were deployed to protect cabins along the Teklanika River near Nenana. There is also an oil drilling rig in this area, and firefighters cleared the area surrounding it of fuel and instructed the drilling crew on the use of firefighting equipment. By the end of July, over 350 persons were involved in the firefighting effort, and continued hot, dry weather had helped the fire grow to over 300,000 acres (120,000 ha). The fire was not declared under control until late August.