07/01/15 10:00 am Card Street Fire Update

FIRE STATUS Acres Burned:  8,876 Cause:  Human – Under Investigation Structures Destroyed:  11 Evacuations: None Closures:  west end of Skilak Loop Road Containment:  80%

RESOURCES Crews:   4 Engines: 3 Dozers: 0 Water Tenders: 1 Helicopters: 1 Total personnel:  approx. 150 Injuries: 19 (Sick, soft tissue, and heat related illness)

Incident Summary: The Card Street fire is in the marshlands and recreation area of Skilak Lake. The fire is established in a full suppression area of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and all actions are being taken to keep the fire at the smallest possible acreage. The fire has burned 8,876 acres since it began June 15 and is now 80% contained.

Current Situation:  Crews continue mop up and rehabilitate firelines around the perimeter. Fire personnel are using hand held infrared devices to detect pockets of heat that can’t be detected by the eye; they will be marked and extinguished. Isolated pockets of heat will continue to be seen in the interior of the fire.  A total of 150 personnel are assigned to the incident including 4 fire crews, 3 fire engines and 1 helicopters. Resources are being released when no longer needed to assist with firefighting efforts elsewhere.  Washington Team 3 will be transitioning to the local agencies tomorrow.

Burn Restrictions: Burn Closure Lifted on the Kenai Peninsula. Soldotna, Alaska -  By order of the Director’s Office the State Forester has lifted the burn closure on all state, private and municipal land on the Kenai Peninsula. Campfires, charcoal BBQ’s, warming, and cooking fires may be used.   At this time all federal lands are still under the closure order.  Kenai Peninsula citizens and visitors must be aware that the “Burn Suspension” is still in effect.  This covers the burn permit system of the Division of Forestry where debris piles and burn barrels are of concern.  Permits holders are reminded to phone the “burn permit call in number” at 907-260-4269 for updated information.  As the Fourth of July weekend approaches all citizens are reminded that the use of fireworks is not permitted on the Kenai Peninsula.   The Division of Forestry and Cooperating Agencies appreciate your cooperation. 

More information can be found at www.kpboem.com or http://akfireinfo.com/.

Weather Outlook: Temperatures are expected to top out at 66 degrees, with cloudy skies and sun breaks. Winds will be variable at 3-8 mph.

Closures: Skilak Lake Road remains closed from the west entrance at the Sterling Highway to milepost 9.3 at the Engineer Lake Overlook.  Lower Skilak Campground and Boat Launch and Bottenintnin Lake day use area remain closed. The road is open on the east end, to the upper Skilak Lake boat launch. Motorists are encouraged to please be cautious of changing fire conditions and fire personnel in the area.  Regular updates can be found on the Refuge Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kenainationalwildliferefuge and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Virtual Joint Information Center at www.kpboem.com. For additional information, please contact the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge office during regular business hours at (907) 262-7021.

Injuries: There have been 19 injuries; Sick, soft tissue, heat related illnesses.

Cooperating Agencies: Alaska Division of Forestry, Alaska State Troopers, Kenai Peninsula Borough, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.