6/20/15 5:08 p.m. Cooper Landing Fires Update

Fire Information 

Email:  stetsonfire2015@gmail.com   

Phone:  907-595-1244, Ext. 3200
Media Contact: Jean Goad

Information hours:  8:00 am - 8:00 pm            ​​      

Web: www.fs.usda.gov/r10/chugach

Twitter: @ChugachForestAK

Incident management team and four crews join firefighting efforts on 

Stetson Creek and Juneau Lake Fires

Cooper Landing – An incident management team from Oregon assumed command of the Stetson Creek and Juneau Lake fires on June 19, 2015. The Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 4 (ORIIMT4), Brian Goff, incident commander, and a team of nine are stationed in Cooper Landing.

Yesterday, two crews from Montana, the Lolo and Bitterroot Type 2IA crews, joined existing resources on the Stetson Creek and Juneau Lake fires.  Today an additional two crews arrived: the Alaska Midnight Sun Hotshots and the Beaverhead/Deer Lodge crew, also from Montana.

The cooler weather, higher relative humidity and clouds have benefitted efforts in suppressing the fires.

As of this morning, the Stetson Creek fire was 210 acres. Firefighters are working to protect high values along the Sterling Highway to the north, the Russian River to the west and the Cooper River to the east. 

Firefighters are continuing the protect cabins at the 488 acre Juneau Lake Fire. 

Priorities for both fires are the safety of firefighters and the public. Today's resources include 107 personnel and one helicopter.

The Chugach National Forest is currently under Stage 1 fire restrictions.  No campfires are allowed in the forest EXCEPT for campfires in developed campgrounds and developed picnic areas.  A burn closure is in effect for the Tanana Valley north of the Alaska Range and the Copper River Valley.  All open fires, including campfires and charcoal fires, are prohibited on state lands, including state park units and private and municipal lands within Game Management Units 11,12, 20,24 and 25.

Visitors, local residents and aviators may encounter smoke in the forest. Wildfire smoke information is available at http://dec.alaska.gov/air/smokemain.html. Travelers are reminded to use caution when driving through smoky conditions by driving with headlights on, slowing down and watching for fire equipment and firefighters. Information on travel conditions and fire-related road closures can be found at http://511.alaska.gov.

The weather is expected to be cooler and dry for the next severaldays.  Please exercise caution when participating in outdooractivities, pay attention to campground and train closures and report fires or smoke.

Visit www.akfireinfo.com for updates on fires across the state. More information on the Stetson Creek and Juneau Lake fires can be found at www.inciweb.nwcg.gov or www.fs.usda.gov/chugach. 

For general fire information, call 907.595.1244 ext. 3200. This phone is staffed from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.