6/24/15 1:45 pm Cooper Landing FIres: Return of sunny weather works to firefighters' advantage on Stetson Creek and Juneau Lake fires

Cooper Landing – Firefighters on the two fires in the Chugach National
Forest today are taking advantage of a sunny day to detect and treat
areas of heat and smoldering ground previously masked by damp and
moist conditions.

The Stetson Creek fire is up to approximately 60 percent contained,
with crews concentrating on building line on the south/southeast
section of the fire along with mop-up which is likely to take several
days. The Bitteroot and Beaverhead/Deer Lodge crews from Montana and
a local squad from the Chugach National Forest are continuing on the
Stetson Creek Fire to protect high values along the Sterling Highway.

Containment also progressed on the Juneau Lake fire, which now stands
at 40% contained, following helicopter transport of a 20-person crew.
The Lolo Type 2IA crew was flown to Juneau Lake June 22 and is working
to protect cabins along the lake and secure the fire's edge along the
west and south. Mop-up on this fire will also take several days. One
firefighter sustained minor injuries following a bear encounter. He
received treatment for animal bites.

Today's resources include 111 personnel and one helicopter.

Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 4 (ORIIMT4), Brian Goff,
incident commander, is managing the Stetson Creek and Juneau Lake
fires.

Burning closures are in effect for the entire Kenai Peninsula
including Chugach National Forest. All open fires, including campfires
and charcoal fires, are prohibited. While most of Alaska's fire
starts over the last two days have been caused by lightning, about
one-quarter are human-caused. Please follow burn closures.