Delta Junction Fire Department

RETURN OF THE FALCON NEST FIRE

We meet again.

Last night at approximately 9:00 p.m., the Fairbanks Emergency Communications Center dispatched firefighters to a reported electrical pole fire near mile marker 281 on the Richardson Highway.

Upon arrival, crews discovered that the same pole from last week’s fire was once again on fire. The culprit appears to be a falcon nest that had reignited despite the rainy weather.

Firefighters from Delta Junction Fire Department and Rural Deltana Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire and turned the scene over to GVEA for further evaluation.

Responding units:
• Delta Junction Fire Department
• Rural Deltana Fire Department

Crews were on scene for approximately 20 minutes.

Weather conditions were 46°F with light rain.

At this point, we suspect the falcons may be trying to keep us employed.

EARLY MORNING FIRE RESPONSE – RICHARDSON HIGHWAY

At 2:29 a.m. this morning, the Fairbanks Emergency Communications Center dispatched crews to reports of an electrical pole on fire near mile 281 of the Richardson Highway.

While responders were en route, additional reports of a possible vehicle fire in the same area were also coming through dispatch.

Engine 161 from Delta Junction Fire Department arrived on scene approximately 20 minutes later and confirmed an electrical pole actively on fire. GVEA was notified and confirmed the power to the affected area had been shut down prior to firefighter operations.

The crew quickly extinguished the fire and secured the scene.

Meanwhile, command directed Engine 171 from Rural Deltana Fire Department further down the highway to investigate the reported vehicle fire. After checking the area, no additional fire was located.

Fire crews remained on scene for approximately 30 minutes before turning the incident over to GVEA for continued electrical operations.

The weather was 42°f, no wind, & light rain.

Responding units:
Delta Junction Fire Department
Rural Deltana Fire Department
Big Delta Rescue

A good reminder: if you see downed power lines, electrical arcing, or utility equipment on fire, stay well clear and call 911 immediately.

WILDLAND FIRE RESPONSE

Last night at 7:14 p.m., the Fairbanks Emergency Communications Center dispatched crews to reports of a heavy smoke column off Tanana Loop Extension.

Delta Junction Fire Department, Rural Deltana Fire Department, and Delta Junction Division of Forestry responded from multiple directions and quickly located the source.

Crews discovered a large burn pit actively flaming with fire extension into nearby trees, likely driven by the extreme winds associated with the Red Flag Warning.

Firefighters immediately went to work extinguishing the burn pit while Forestry crews focused on ensuring the fire had not extended deeper into the surrounding woods. A Forestry Helitack helicopter also responded to support the incident.

Crews remained on scene for approximately 4 hours bringing the fire fully under control and ensuring the area was safe. They utilized roughly 23,000 gallons of water during the incident.

Weather conditions at the time were approximately 50°F with sustained winds around 35 mph and gusts exceeding 60 mph.

Responding agencies:
• Delta Junction Fire Department
• Rural Deltana Fire Department
• Delta Junction Division of Forestry
• Forestry Helitack Helicopter

⚠️ This is exactly why Red Flag Warnings matter. What may seem like a manageable burn pile can become a wildland fire very quickly in these conditions.

Please avoid any outdoor burning during high wind events and help us keep our community safe.

*Fire Alarm*

At 11:32pm last night RDVFD responded to a tone-out down Nistler Road for a caller stating their fire alarms were going off and were concerned as they could detect a potential odor of smoke.

Five Volunteers and one truck responded along with Delta Junction Volunteer Fire Department and Big delta rescue.

First arriving on scene sized up a single story with no smoke or flames showing. Contact was made with the homeowner and the inside of the house was investigated thoroughly with a Thermal Imaging camera (TIC) and a 4-Gas moniter.

No heat or toxic gases registered and the structure was cleared of hazards and turned back over to the homeowner.
RDVFD cleared around 12:20AM.
Temperature was 52.5°F / winds of 12.1mph at toneout

WATER RESCUE – DELTA RIVER / BLACK RAPIDS

Yesterday at 4:25 p.m., the Fairbanks Emergency Communications Center dispatched a water rescue call near Black Rapids in the Delta River. Initial reports indicated a person had become stranded and was clinging to an iceberg in the middle of the river.

Initial responding crews arrived on scene approximately 40 minutes later. At nearly the same time, a Department of Natural Resources Forestry helicopter team from Delta Junction arrived to assist.

Responders located the patients vehicle, and shortly thereafter located the stranded patient approximately 750 yards from the roadway, partially submerged in the middle of the river, clinging to the ice, but still awake and responsive.

The Forestry helicopter was able to land nearby and successfully use a throw rope to pull the patient to safety. The helicopter then transported the patient to the highway, where Big Delta Rescue took over medical care.

Firefighters, medical personnel, and the Delta Junction Fire Department Drone Team monitored the operation from the ground and were prepared to hike in and conduct a swift water rescue if the aerial rescue was unsuccessful.

Responding agencies included:
• Delta Junction Fire Department
• Delta Junction Fire Department Drone Team
• Rural Deltana Fire Department
• Fort Greely Fire Department
• Alaska State Troopers
• Big Delta Rescue
• Department of Natural Resources Forestry Helicopter Team

The weather was approximately 45 degrees with moderate winds.

This was an outstanding multi-agency response and an excellent outcome to what could have been a tragic situation.

⚠️ Spring breakup creates extremely dangerous river conditions. Cold water, unstable ice, and fast currents can become life-threatening in seconds.