Officials ask public to steer clear as crews battle North Pole wildfire

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - The Alaska Division of Forestry is currently battling a 50-acre wildland fire in the area of North Pole, named the Brock Road Fire, that is believed to be human caused. The fire is located near Brock Road and Repp Road off of Badger Road. Brock Road is currently closed North of Repp Road and officials are asking everyone who doesn’t live in the area to stay clear.

Robert Wells, battalion chief at the North Star Volunteer Fire Department, is asking that those who may be curious and want to investigate the fire, to stay clear of the area in order for fire personnel to do their job. It’s been reported that several individuals on ATVs have been getting in the way of fire service efforts to battle the blaze.

While the fire has grown quickly and officials are asking for the public’s help in keeping the area clear, no evacuations are being issued at this time. It was last reported that the fire is moving away from neighboring houses and that the houses closest to the first are approximately a 1/4 mile away.

Smoke was first reported at approximately 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon and at 3:30 p.m. was estimated to be around a 1/2 acre in size. However, the fire has grown significantly in the last few hours. State forestry is currently attacking the fire very aggressively from both the ground and the air.

According to a press release from the Alaska Division of Forestry, an air tanker has made three retardant drops around the perimeter of the fire and four scooping aircraft and two helicopters are dropping water on the fire. A second air tanker from Palmer is also being called upon for support. A van load of eight smokejumpers have been transported to the fire and are currently engaging the fire. Two other crews are also headed to the fire. At least two Fairbanks Area Forestry engines are also responding, one bulldozer is on scene and another has been ordered.

The White Mountain Crew is leaving the Haystack Fire to head to the Brock Road Fire. The Baker River Hotshot Crew, that is currently located in Delta Junction is also being called in for support.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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