This story was updated at 6:15 p.m. June 20 with information on the evacuation order for Haystack Mountain properties.
As of 6 p.m. Friday, the Fairbanks North Star Borough issued a Level 3 evacuation order for all properties on all roads on Haystack Mountain due to the Himalaya Road Fire.
Residents who are evacuating the area are asked to text 907-388-9696.
The borough also elevated its evacuation advisory for properties at Elliott Highway miles 13-17 at the Himalaya Road neighborhood. The borough advised residents to be ready to go at a moment's notice.
Division of Forestry and Fire Protection firefighters are currently fighting the Himalaya Road fire, which was discovered on Thursday. DOF increased resources for the fire on Friday morning due to increased activity. Aerial suppression, including water scoopers, has been ordered due to escalating conditions.
Bonanza Creek Fire and Bear Creek Fire
The Fairbanks North Star Borough updated its evacuation status for the Parks Highway on Friday as firefighters continue to evaluate the Bonanza Creek Fire at Parks Highway mile 332
A level 1 "READY" has been issued to Parks Highway miles 333-342 and miles 325-330. A Level 2 "SET" remains in effect on Parks Highway miles 330-333 due to the fire's proximity to structures.
The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection has dispatched firefighters to the Bonanza Creek Fire. DOF reported that the lightning-caused fire has grown to 532 acres and is expanding in the black spruce forest to the east.
DOF is using Skinny Dick's Lodge on the Parks Highway as a staging area. No road closures have been reported yet, but motorists are asked to travel with caution.
The Denali Borough issued a Level 3 "GO" evacuation order for both the June Creek Subdivision and the Bear Creek Subdivision, about 20 miles north of Healy, due to the Bear Creek Fire.
The evacuation order covers the area west of Parks Highway, miles 264-270. The Tri-Valley Community Center is the evacuation checkpoint with 907-378-7985 as the evacuation information phone number.
The Bear Creek Fire was reported Thursday and the Alaska Division of Forestry deployed resources, along with Fairbanks Engine 261 and Anderson Engine 261.
The fire was last reported to be 20 acres in size.
Progress made in Gilmore Trail fire
Evacuation levels for the Gilmore Trail area in Fairbanks remain in effect. The Fairbanks North Star Borough has issued a Level 3 “GO” evacuation order for all properties on Monzulla Lane, Hopper Creek Drive and properties north of those roads on Gilmore Trail. A Level 3 evacuation means residents must leave immediately.
A Level 2 “SET” evacuation remains in effect for the Gilmore, Esro and Amanita Smallwood neighborhoods, while a Level 1 “READY” alert is in place for the end of Gilmore Trail Road, Goldmine, Winch and Steele Creek areas.
A DOF spokesperson said fire crews are making progress.
"We were successful in completing a dozer line to wrap around and contain the 15-acre perimeter," the spokesperson said.
Wildfire crews will continue to be on scene, along with aerial water drops. Smokejumpers, engines and dozers are currently on site.
A helicopter and airplane made multiple water and retardant drops on the fire overnight Thursday and DNR expects that activity to continue.
A hand crew will start mopping up specific areas of the fire but can expect a lengthy process getting through thick brush. The DOF spokesperson said there will continue to be a significant presence.