Minto Flats South Fire
| Minto Flats South Fire | |
|---|---|
 Image of the Minto Flats | |
| Date(s) | June 2009 - August 2009 |
| Location | Near Fairbanks, Alaska |
| Statistics | |
| Total area | 300,000 acres (1,200 km2) |
| Ignition | |
| Cause | Lightning |
The Minto Flats South Fire was a large lightning-caused
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.[4] 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).[5] The fire was not declared under control until late August.[6]
References
- ^ Alaska's largest wildfire continues to grow USA Today, 7-16-09
- ^ 70 forest fires burning in Alaska; Minto Flats is largest James Halpin, Anchorage Daily News, 07-08-09 Archived 2009-09-18 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Minto Flats fire flares, spreads, 200,000 acres burned Anchorage Daily News 7-20-09 Archived 2009-08-01 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Minto Flats fire-138,000 acres Wildfire Today 7-10-09
- ^ Railbelt Fires Prompting More Response Alaska Public Radio Network 7-30-09 (mp3 audio file)
- ^ Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, 8/15/09 Interior Fire Season Simmers Down" quote: "Fire officials are expected to downgrade three busy Interior fire complexes this weekend, following a wet stretch and weeks of effort by more than a thousand firefighters. Fires near Circle, Minto Flats and Murphy Dome will all be moved to "type III" fires by the Alaska Fire Service"