The fire began near Circle Bay on Woronkofski Island on Friday, Aug. 16, and as of Monday was less than an acre in size. The U.S. Forest Service is monitoring the fire.
Where there's smoke there's fire, and on Woronkofski Island, there's both.
The fire began near Circle Bay on Friday, Aug. 16, and as of Monday was less than an acre in size. While the fire has grown at roughly 0.1 acres per day, the U.S. Forest Service - which is monitoring the fire - is not concerned about the risk of widespread damages.
Circle Bay is about 6 miles southwest of Wrangell, with smoke from the fire visible in town.
The closest infrastructure that could be at risk is a power line 2.5 miles from the fire. According to Tory Houser, Forest Service Wrangell District ranger, the suppression plan is to observe the fire for now, and if it looks like it could threaten the power line a more aggressive suppression plan will be enacted.
"Currently, the fire isn't threatening or dangerous enough to put the safety of any of our firefighters at risk," Houser said.
The line carries Tyee Lake hydroelectric power between Wrangell and Petersburg.
The Forest Service will reevaluate its suppression plan daily and hopes the upcoming forecast for rain will help put out the fire naturally. Even without the rain, it is "unlikely ... that any values are threatened," the Forest Service announced on Aug. 17.
For the time being, the agency requests that everyone stay out of the fire area until it is deemed to be safe. The fire's cause is currently under investigation.
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