6/21/15 8:30 pm Cooper Landing Fire Update

Media Contact: Jean Goad 907-595-1244                                       Twitter: @ChugachForestAK
Web: www.fs.usda.gov/r10/chugach

Cooler, cloudy weather benefits suppression efforts; containment figures released
         
Cooper Landing –Several days of cloudy skies, lower temperatures and higher relative humidity have aided firefighters’ efforts on the Stetson Creek Fire, which is approximately 30% contained.  Firefighter efforts and natural fire barriers have contained approximately 10% of the Juneau Lake Fire.

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

The Bitteroot and Beaverhead/Deer Lodge crews from Montana, the Alaska Midnight Sun Hotshots and a local squad from the Chugach National Forest are continuing on the Stetson Creek Fire to protect high values along the Sterling Highway. The Lolo Type 2IA crew was shuttled by helicopter to Juneau Lake and is working to protect cabins along the lake and secure the fire’s edge along the west and south.

As of last night, the Stetson Creek Fire was 212 acres; the Juneau Lake Fire is 488 acres. Priorities for both fires are the safety of firefighters and the public.  Today’s resources include 134 personnel and one helicopter.

Burning closures are in effect for the entire Kenai Peninsula including Chugach National Forest. All open fires, including campfires and charcoal fires, are prohibited.  About one-quarter of Alaska’s many fire starts over the last two days have been human-caused.  Please help reduce fire starts by following burn closures to contribute to a safe fire season.

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.

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 www.fs.usda.gov/chugach. For general fire information, call 907-743-9500 Anchorage.
 
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Thank you to all community members who  graciously offered to donate a hot dish or other items.  At this time, no food or donations of any kind will be needed.