Governor Overflies Taylor Complex Fire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 26, 2004 No. 04-200

Governor Overflies Taylor Complex Fire

(Juneau) – Governor Frank H. Murkowski overflew Tok and Tanacross to observe the Taylor Complex fire on his way from Fairbanks to Juneau today.

“I am watching the situation closely and keeping up to date on the efforts to fight these fires and to keep Alaskans and their property out of harm’s way,” said Murkowski. “Many good people from around this state and nation are working hard every day on the Taylor Complex and other fires and I thank them for their diligence.”

Regional Forester Chris Maisch was dispatched to the Taylor Complex Fire and has met with Native groups and the chiefs of local communities. Fire managers will coordinate with local residents to scout out helicopter landing sites and a possible camp location north of Wolf Lake. If a camp can be established, hotshot crews will begin working around the extreme southwestern edge of the Porcupine Fire south of Sixtymile Butte.

Near Northway, firefighters are working to complete a 50-foot wide, five-mile long fuelbreak aimed at halting the progress of the fire.

Resources committed to the fire include five helicopters, 11 fire engines, six bulldozers, four water tenders, three hotshot crews (Type 1) and seven hand crews (Type 2).

Murkowski continues to receive daily briefings on the status of fire containment efforts in the Interior and has visited local residents and management teams twice to witness firsthand the ongoing efforts to safeguard Alaskans and their property.

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