Sand Creek Fire update -
Thursday evening - June 26

Delta, AK –The Sand Creek Fire illustrated the dry conditions on Wednesday by making some runs in the late afternoon.  The acreage was unavailable last night due to smoky conditions hindering accurate measurements.  The size was 41,200 acres on Tuesday evening.   The southwestern edge of the fire is continuing to back towards the cabin area.  At 8:00 PM Wednesday evening the fire was within ¾ of a mile of a cabin located at mile 31 on the Goodpaster River.  The fire began receiving precipitation beginning at 5:00 am this morning.  The fire is receiving light rain.  This will certainly cool the fire temporarily but will fall short of extinguishing it due to the extremely dry conditions.   

Crews continue to assess and improve defensible space, install sprinklers & pumps, and institute structural protection.  The fire was also active in the north of the Sand Creek drainage but has not crossed into the Shaw Creek drainage. 

The Type 2 fire organization is now in place and has taken command of the fire.  The Incident Commander is Rex McKnight.  The new incident command post is set up at mile 7 on Sawmill Creek Road.  Sawmill Creek Road is located at Mile 1403 of the Alaska Highway.

There will be a check point set up on the Goodpaster River at Jolly’s Cabin located at Mile 4 on the Goodpaster River.  This will be staffed from 10 AM and Midnight beginning 6/27, Friday.  It is requested that all river travelers check in on their way in and out.  The Incident Management Team is requesting that only property owners travel on the river until further notice.  Cabin owners on the river are reminded to stay at their cabins so the firefighters know where they are.  There will be informational boards posted at the Tanana River boat launch Mile 275 of the Richardson Highway, and the IGA Store in Delta.

The staffing of the fire has increased to 203 total personnel.  There are now 8 crews, 4 helicopters, and 12 boats working on this fire.    

Paul Slenkamp -- June 27, 2003

Sand Creek Fire update -
Wednesday evening, June 25

DELTA, 1730 6-2 The Sand Creek fire is remaining relatively quiet on the Liscum Slough (southern area of fire) there is a small amount of activity in the area nearest the cabins on the river. The fire remains app. 1 mile north of the closest cabins on the river it has made little advance since Monday evening. The conditions remain very dry..

Crews are to do structural protection and continue to assess and improve defensible space, install sprinklers and pumps along the Goodpaster drainage.

Crews also continue to mop up and secure around structures at Gustafson, smeltzer, Central Creek Cabins, and 7 mile cabin.

There is some fire activity on soutwestern portion of the fire in the upper Sand Creek area. The fire has not yet crossed into the Shaw Creek Draiage.

Paul Slenkamp -- June 26, 2003

Sand Creek Fire update - Wednesday, June 25

Click on image for an enlargement

Delta, AK -The Sand Creek Fires growth slowed Tuesday with an addition of only 1200 acres. The fire, now at 41,200 acres, had little movement on the southeastern front that is threatening 25 cabins on the Goodpaster River 25 miles northeast of Delta. Today, fire managers are assessing the possibility of direct suppression on some areas of the fire to check its spread toward the cabins.

The forecasted red flag warnings for high winds and low humidity on Tuesday were moderated by cooler temperatures and moderate humidity levels in the afternoon dampening the growth of the fire and provided a temporary reprieve to cabin owners and firefighters on the river. The red flag warnings are still in effect through Wednesday for winds from the south at 15 to 20 and low humidity levels. Wednesday's morning wind in Delta was not felt at the fire where it was calm.

Cabin owners along the upper Goodpaster River between miles 25 and 35 remain at risk. 47 structures are still considered threatened, but no losses have occurred except an outhouse. Fire personnel are still working with homeowners in preparation for the approaching fire. Setting up sprinkler systems, limbing trees as high as they can safely reach, removing firewood, propane, and fuels from around the cabins and clearing brush within 30 feet of the structure are some of the precautions being taken. Property owners are working closely with firefighters and have preplanned safety zones for retreat should the fire become too intense.

The Sand Creek Fire is in management transition as a Type 2 team took charge of the fire organization at 6:00 AM today. This will allow the fire organization to be removed from the Delta State Forestry Compound allowing that office to concentrate their efforts on Initial attack of local fires.

The staffing of the fire has increased to 197 total personnel. There are now 9 crews, 4 helicopters, and 12 boats working on this fire. 3 of those crews arrived yesterday. Further resources may be ordered as the new overhead team further analyses the situation.

Paul Slenkamp -- June 25, 2003

DMV WILL NOT BE CLOSING IN DELTA JCT.

After talking with Cindy Gentz from Department of Motor Vehicles today, she said that Duane Dannock, the director for DMV came to the City Council meeting that was held last Tuesday evening and announced that our DMV will remain open.  We will still have our DMV office here and won't have to wait in lines in Fairbanks. 

Webmaster -- June 20, 2003

Friday the 13th turned out to be a lucky day for Derek & Kailey Mills seen here as they register for the 2003 Delta Library Summer Reading Program "Laugh it Up @ Your Library". That's Library Aides Amy VanderZwaag and Anne Baker lending a hand. Derek and Kailey's parents are Derek and Sheryl Mills, and their grandparents are Sherry and Lou Heinbockel and Charles and Carmelita Mills. Photo Courtesy Joyce McCombs

Rapids Roadhouse needs help, one week left to put the roof on!

Progress Is Great, Need Financial Help to Finish and will only take a Week!

The Rapids Roadhouse or commonly known as the Black Rapids Lodge is over 100 years old and is one of the last remaining roadhouses on the Valdez to Fairbanks trail. It is on the national historic register and has been under historic restoration since 2000 thanks to two grants from the State of Alaska Department of History and Archeology.

Recently, the roadhouse became part of the newly formed non-profit group called the Black Rapids Trust, Inc. whose mission is to preserve the memory of those that came before us. The roadhouse will eventually house a museum that depicts the history of the gold rush on this route, mountaineers in the area, and create an outdoor education program for youth in Alaska. The roadhouse almost fell into the glacial grit, but now with its sound foundation established, it has already held its own against the big earthquake.

The crew, owners and volunteers have been ambitious this summer are almost done with this summers goal, four stabilized sections of the 11 section structure. Last summer they completed two main sections. We are only a week away from making our goal and completing four additional sections. But because of the magnitude of this project, we are having to stop midstream, with only one week more needed to get the roof on the last two sections. The project is short $14,000 to complete this phase. We need help to simply get the roof on! We are all proud of the progress and commitment of the group of folks pulling this whole thing together, and preserving the history that has so long eluded us on this historical trail. If you can help, please call 455-6158 or visit our web site at www.blackrapids.org for updates.

Help us raise the roof! We will in exchange engrave donors names of over a $1,000 on special plaques. The legacy will continue. The Timing of this is immediate and crucial to not only save the logs and work already completed, but to save our history! Many thanks.

Annie Hopper  -- June 17, 2003

Sand Creek Fire Update

Delta, AK - The Sand Creek Fire located 25 miles northeast of Delta increased an additional 5,000 acres Saturday to reach a size of 30,000 acres. The fire spread southwest, crossing over Sand Creek, putting cabins on the Goodpaster in more imminent danger. It also moved within a ½ mile of Central and is expected to spread past Central Creek toward Pogo Mine. A hotshot crew protected seven mile cabin in an area where the surrounding fuels burned.

Goodpaster Cabin owners above the south fork are now faced with an increasing threat of fire activity. The central complex will be fire tested today as the fire continues to move up the Goodpaster River. Cabin owners above Hubers (mi. 27) on the river are asked to be ready and prepare for the fire.

Warm and dry weather conditions and high fire danger necessitates suspension of burn permits today. Fires are still permitted in developed recreational areas. Campers are encouraged to use fire pits or self contained stoves. Please be sure fire is dead out before leaving. Children caused a fire near Delta Junction yesterday which State Firefighters quickly brought under control. Human caused fire starts increase the workload and resources that are needed to attack natural lightening caused fires such as the Sand Creek Fire.

The water level on the Goodpaster River continues to drop making river travel very difficult. The Division of Forestry is requesting that recreational boating be avoided on the river. The extremely low water conditions coupled with the fire support and smoke are creating hazardous and congested travel conditions on the river.

Staffing remains at 136 people are working on the fire, including 2 hotshot crews, 4 type 2 crews, 3 helicopters and 8 boats.

Fire Information -- June 23, 2003

The Parker's and Dubois take photo's of five King Salmon they caught in Sitka last week.  King salmon fishing is the reason for 400 charter operators in Sitka, a substantial economic boon for the town.  King salmon are being released by a local hatchery which has increased the number of kings returning.  Photo Courtesy Fronty Parker

Greatlander Show Band To Perform in Delta June 23rd

The USAF Band of the Pacific - Greatlander Show Band will be performing in Delta on June 23rd from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the Delta Elementary School Gymnasium (the smaller gym). Admission is free!

Entertainment is the mission of The Greatlanders, the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific's 14-piece show band. These versatile professional musicians project a positive Air Force image with world-class music. The ensemble plays a wide variety of styles that appeal to almost everyone. Their energetic concerts include Top 40 hits, Classic Rock, Funk, and Contemporary or Big Band Jazz. The Greatlanders thrill military and civilian audiences alike, performing over 100 programs a year to more than 150,000 people.

This event brought to you by the Delta Chamber of Commerce and the City of Delta Junction.

Martha Kimball - June 16, 2003

This photo was taken of Seth Blankenship, age 21, Dwight's nephew from Anchorage last weekend while fishing for "Lakers" at the Gulkana River. Note the "smolt pattern" hanging out of the lakers mouth. Seth caught this beauty at 1:00 AM, just as it was getting light again!  Photo Courtesy Dwight Phillips

The following shot was taken on Saturday, June 14, at the coal mine on Coal Mine Road. Photo Courtesy Mike Nuckols

Is Your Dog Missing?

FOUND:  May 29, Mile 300 Richardson Hwy. between Delta and Birch Lake.  Young male, friendly.  Call 895-4332 or 895- 4893

Gene Eggleston -- June 12, 2003

Lael Echo-Hawk (in the middle) celebrates with friends the end of class. Lael is graduating from the University of Washington Law School on June 15, 2003. She is a 1995 graduate of DHS. She graduates with the prestigious positions as the Vice-President of the Student Body and the President of the Native American Law Student Association. She has been hired to work as a lawyer for a Native tribe in the Seattle area.  Her family has joined her in Seattle to celebrate this
occasion, if you would like to offer you congratulations or join us for the party in Seattle o the 14th email her at echohawkgrad@yahoo.com
Photo Courtesy Abigail Echo-Hawk Lopez

Highway's End Farmers Market Grand Opening - June 14th

The Highway's End Farmers Market will have it's opening day on Saturday, June 14th. The market will be open from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. It is located behind the Sullivan's Roadhouse on the Richardson Higway. There will be a variety of vendors selling their wares - vegetables, crafts, flowers and more. Come join in the fun! For further information please contact either Martha Kimball 895-2004 or Brenda Peterson 895-5068.

Martha Kimball -- June 10, 2003

Barbi "Kephart" Ouellette, a 1986 graduate of Delta, who currently resides in Palmer.  Pictured in the photo are her family at a recent fishing trip to Homer 6/6/03. Seen is Tyler (8), Mark, Ryan (15), and Barbi.

PUBLIC NOTICE
Fort Greely Continuing Its Restoration Advisory Board

Fort Greely, Alaska--Fort Greely is continuing its Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) to obtain the public's assistance with the installation's environmental restoration program, and is seeking participants to be part of the board. Additional members are needed from Delta Junction and surrounding community because some former members have resigned or moved.

Individuals interested in being considered for RAB membership should complete a community interest survey form available at the Delta Junction City Hall or from the web site www.smdcen.us/rabfga. The completed survey may be submitted electronically to rabfga@edaw.com; faxed to (907) 895-4375; or sent to Steve Fields, Community Co-chair, Fort Greely Installation RAB, MI 275.4 Richardson Highway, Delta Junction, AK 99737-1013.

The next RAB meeting is scheduled for the Delta Junction City Hall, June 24, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. and is open to the public. Completed interest surveys may be also be brought to the meeting.

The RAB assisted with the restoration efforts required by the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process from 1995 until Fort Greely was withdrawn from BRAC in 2000 to support the U.S. missile defense program. The RAB was not disbanded and remained available to assist with the installation environmental restoration program.

The word "installation" is being added to the board's formal name, which now becomes the Fort Greely Installation Restoration Advisory Board. This reflects the change in focus from assisting restoration for an installation slated for closure to assisting restoration for an operating installation with an expanding mission.

The goal of the RAB is to give individuals who represent the diverse interests of the community the opportunity to regularly review progress and interact with the decision makers on Fort Greely's environmental restoration program. This increases public understanding and the quality of the installation environmental restoration program.

The RAB meetings are to be held quarterly and are open to the public.

Public participation on the RAB is strictly voluntary. The Army does not provide financial support to the public members for their services nor will members be compensated for work hours lost, or time invested.

Interested RAB participants should be willing to attend all RAB meetings (which could last from two to four hours each) and be willing to devote ample time to review any related Army documents within prescribed time frames.

For more information on participating in the RAB or obtaining a community interest survey, call Christine Boerst at Fort Greely, telephone 907-873-4665.

Edward H. Vaughn -- June 4

Denali Lutheran Preschoolers perform “The Seeds That Grew To Be 100” at their annual Spring Program held on May 22, 2003. My son Derek Jr. (standing on the far right) truly enjoyed his year in preschool and is looking forward to returning in September! THANKS to Dawn, Eli and Annie Grossmann for all of their hard work with these eager preschoolers!!  Photo Courtesy Sheryl Mills

Deltana Fair Update -
"The Place to Bee... 2003"

The winning theme/logo for this year's Deltana fair was submitted by Ann Geise: The Place to Bee... 2003 Deltana Fair, August 22, 23, 24. There were 20 entries in response to the extended deadline and some may be used for other Fair activities or for future fairs.

VENDORS: Information/Reservation Packets are available to all who may be interested in having a booth or space at the 2003 Deltana Fair. Pick up a packet at Help Secretarial in the AMC Building or call (907) 895-FAIR (3247) and a packet will be mailed to you.

PLACEMAT ADS: Advertising space is still available on placemats which will be printed and distributed to restaurants in the greater Delta area to promote Delta and the Deltana Fair, "The Place to Bee...". The ads are one size only at a cost of $90 each. This is a good opportunity to tell people what your business has to offer when they come to Delta Junction! (For more info, call Ann Geise at (907) 895-4466.)

PREMIUM BOOK: The Deltana Fair Premium Book offers advertising space at prices ranging from $40 up to $195, with prime space on the back cover and inside front and back covers at "premium" prices. For more information, call (907) 895-3247 or send a fax to (907) 895-4628, or call Ann Geise at (907) 895-4466. Ad forms are also available at Help Secretarial, (907) 895-4439. The deadline for reserving space in the Premium Book is Friday, June 6. Ad content material must be received by Wednesday, June 11. The Fair Association wants to have the books available to the public by mid-summer, well in advance of the fair, to be held August 22, 23 and 24.

THANK YOU! Many thanks to Unit Company for stepping up to sponsor the 2003 Deltana Fair T-shirts! Two other sponsorships have also come in, without specific "earmarks", from Mt. Hayes Inc. Realtors and from Bucher Glass. We appreciate you and hope there are still more sponsorships "in the mail"!

(FYI: Deltana Fair is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, if that helps your business help the Fair.)

Steve Fields -- June 2, 2003

Buckley and Scott Hollembaeck getting their boat fired up over Memorial Day for their first run up the ClearH20 of the year. Photo Courtesy Dwight Phillips

The picture shows a remnant of last year's coho run on the DCR.  The flesh from dead coho salmon contribute to the food chain which feeds the many millions of salmon and whitefish fry found in the river.  Photo Courtesy Fronty Parker

Delta News Web Looking For Photos and Community News

As you can see today, we have alot of white space in our community news.  If you have a story or news item you would like to share with the community, please submit them to the DNW.  Our web paper is a community effort.  We need your input. Thank you.

Webmaster -- May 28, 2003

Is Your Dog Missing? FOUND:  May 29, Mile 300 Richardson Hwy. between Delta and Birch Lake.  Young male, friendly.  Call 895-4332 or 895- 4893

This is Devin and his little brother Jaydon hiding in clothes racks at the store. Devin will be 7 in September and Jaydon will be 3 on May 30th. Both are the sons of Jayme (Braswell) Wilson. 1997 Graduate of Delta High. We reside in Rochester Minnesota where my husband is a Navy Recruiter. Photo Courtesy Jayme Wilson

Delta, AK -The Sand Creek Fire grew an additional 3,500 acres on Monday and has now reached 40,000 acres. It is located 25 northeast of Delta. The area has received little or no precipitation for many months, which has created volatile fuel conditions within the Black Spruce, White Spruce and mixed hardwoods which is the fires primary fuel.

The weather for today is forecasted for winds out of the south at 15 mph. Humidity levels will be approximately 25% with temperatures near 70. These conditions can allow for erratic fire behavior. Southerly winds are forecasted which may drive the fire away from the river. Increased thunderstorm activity with erratic winds and fire behavior could occur this afternoon. Thunderstorms on Monday provided winds which ran the fire to the south.

Cabin owners along the upper Goodpaster River between miles 25 and miles 35 are at risk due to fire spread. The fire is now in the Liscum Slough area and is expected to bump the Goodpaster River at approximately mile 30. The surrounding cabin owners have been preparing for the fire for several days. They have been aided by State of Alaska, Division of Forestry (DOF) personnel and firefighter crews. Cabin owners down stream on the Goodpaster River are encouraged to prepare defensible space, set up pumps and sprinklers. DOF personnel and fire crews are working their way downriver to assist in preparation.

Structural protection remains the top priority as there are now 47 structures considered threatened. No structural losses have occurred. One out building has been lost. All residents that live in rural areas are reminded to be prepared for wildfire by clearing defensible space. For additional information on defensible space contact your local Division of Forestry Office.

The Sand Creek Fire will be upgraded to a Type 2 incident on Tuesday. Staffing is at 156 personnel, 4 helicopters, and 6 crews. Equipment will be increased by an 3 additional crews and 2 medium helicopters have been ordered. As the transition of the overhead team occurs more resources may be ordered.

The fire danger in the Central Tanana Valley remains very high with the suspension of burn permits still in effect. There have been several close calls in the past several days requiring Division of Forestry Initial Attack crews to suppress human caused fires. Please be careful with fire.

Paul, fire information officer -- June 24, 2003

Steve Reidsma from Ft. Wainwright Natural Resources helping to erect a goldeneye nest box on Bolio Lake, May 7th 2003.