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A cold front pushed through the area early Wednesday, bringing gusty northwest winds and showers to the area. Manley Hot Springs reported 0.14 inches of rainfall. Much cooler conditions settled in over the region in the wake of the cold front, with temperatures in the 60s Wednesday afternoon, rising humidity and west-to-northwest winds of 6 to 12 mph. Similar temperatures can be expected today, with drier conditions and lighter westerly winds. Because of the long-term drought, any dry day and a light breeze can cause fire to spread. Low to moderate fire spread is predicted for today.

Gradually drying and warming weather and a passing cold front led to some increases in fire behavior and perimeter growth late yesterday. Fires became more active in the afternoon with steady surface spread and torching. The fires in the complex now total 178,582 acres and 268 people are assigned. The three active fires in the complex are under a point protection strategy, which consists of taking steps such as clearing vegetation and installing sprinklers to protect sites of value like cabins, lodges and Native Allotments.

Scattered light rain occurred intermittently over parts of the Bean Complex yesterday, while some areas remained dry. This light precipitation, higher relative humidity, and lingering smoke moderated fire behavior and fire spread on the Tanana River Fire (#310) on the eastern portion of the complex. Meanwhile, on the west end of the complex, the Chitanana Fire (#315) and Bitzshitini Fire (#312) showed some growth where exposed to drying wind. The Red Flag Warning applying to the complex has been lifted after nearly two weeks in place.

A line of showers moved over the Complex early this morning and most of the incidents received at least trace amounts of precipitation. Recorded rainfall amounts ranged up to a high total of .16 inches. This light precipitation, higher relative humidity, and lingering smoke has moderated observed fire behavior and fire spread. Overall, fuels are still very dry and will support fire spread after short periods of warm and dry conditions. Thunderstorms are still in the forecast for later today and this evening.

Twelve consecutive days of dry and hot Red Flag conditions have set the Bean Complex fires on a path of active fire behavior with steady and persistent  growth. These conditions are expected to persist through the weekend into early next week, with additional chances for thunderstorms and no appreciable amounts of rainfall. A Red Flag Warning is in effect through midnight today to account for the lightning potential.

Active fire behavior with steady and persistent growth has been observed over many areas of the Complex. The potential for extreme fire behavior exists as temperatures increase and relative humidity decreases to critical levels. The hot and dry conditions are expected to persist through the weekend into early next week, with additional chances for thunderstorms, but no appreciable amounts of rainfall. A Red Flag Warning is in effect through midnight Sunday to account for the lightning potential.

Bean Complex Update July 8, 2022

  Bean Complex Update July 7, 2022

 The road to get firefighters into the four largest fires in the Bean Complex ends at Manley Hot Springs on the Tanana River. Beyond there, the only route to work is by helicopter or boat. The past few days have been too smoky to allow safe aviation, so a system for moving folks by boat along the Tanana River is used.

 A second day of scattered thunderstorms and gusty, erratic winds caused several of the fires in the Bean Complex to grow. The Tanana River Fire (#310) spotted across the Tolovana River along the western perimeter. Smoke continues to impede helicopter use for fire suppression and firefighter transport. As point protection succeeds on other fires in the Complex, crews and resources are shuttled by boat from west to east on the Tanana River to attack these spots.