A burnout operation at the Oregon Lakes Fire spread beyond its designated area Sunday, causing an unexpected 240-acre wind-driven expansion.
Crews worked into the evening Sunday to contain the spread and were mopping up Monday.
“Firefighters were burning a roughly 3-mile long grassy section along a firebreak when the winds picked up and caused the fire to move north of the line,” according to a Monday morning update from the Alaska Fire Service.
Firefighters, supported by heavy equipment and a helicopter, were burning grass along a fuel break about 2 miles north of the military training impact area where the Oregon Lakes Fire is burning, according to the update.
“As standard when conducting burn operations, additional aircraft were on standby,” the updated reads “Also, part of normal burning procedures, as firefighters burned along the line, other members of the White Mountain Type 2 Initial Attack Crew watched for possible spotting. Firefighters quickly noticed the wind-driven fire spreading through the dry grass.”