Rain, high humidity, slow wildfires in Alaska Interior

FAIRBANKS (AP) -- State officials are hoping that a wildfire 45 miles east of here in the Chena River State Recreation Area is close to burning itself out.

Darla Hasselquist, a spokeswoman for the state Division of Forestry, said rain soaked the Granite Tors Trail fire over the weekend. The blaze has charred about 500 acres.

Precipitation has reduced the amount of smoke generated by the fire, and that's usually an indication the blaze may be dying down, she said.

''There is high humidity in that area and it is not burning actively,'' she told the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

The burn is in a ''limited suppression zone,'' meaning it will not be battled by firefighters unless it threatens life or property.

The Granite Tors trail is near Mile 39-point-5 of Chena Hot Springs Road, a popular hiking spot. Signs have been posted since Tuesday advising hikers that the trail was closed.

Two other wildfires were reported burning around the Alaska Interior. One was near Tanana and the other near Minto.

Both were caused by lightning strikes last week and both have been slowed by cool, humid weather.

The Tanana fire burning on a ridge about four miles north of the village and was about 35 percent contained. That fire has consumed about 1,200 acres and was moving northeast over the weekend.

The village is not in any danger, said Andy Williams, a fire information officer with the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center.

The Tolovana Dome fire about 20 miles east of Minto has charred about 200 acres and could be contained as early as Monday, Williams said.

''We've benefited from some timely rain showers in the Interior, but it won't take long for things to dry out and get back to where they were,'' Williams said.