07/1/15 11:15 am Chugach National Forest Urges Caution with Fire Over July 4 Weekend

Chugach National Forest Urges Caution with Fire over July 4 Weekend

Fire Restrictions Enforced, Stetson Creek & Juneau Lake Fires Contained

Anchorage, Alaska: Chugach National Forest wildland fire managers urge recreationists to be extra cautious with any open flame over the July 4 weekend. Just a spark can ignite a wildfire. Everyone has a hand in a safe summer season.

Cooler weather has enabled fire managers to reduce fire restrictions on the forest. Effective Tuesday, June 30, campfires, stove or charcoal fires are only allowed in forest campgrounds and designated picnic areas on the Seward and Glacier Districts. Campfires are not allowed at dispersed campsites.

Remember: You are responsible for the fires you start. Follow these guidelines to extinguish your fire completely:

• Allow the wood to burn to ash if possible.
• Pour lots of water on the fire and drown all embers.
• Stir the wet ashes and embers with a shovel.
• Scrape any remaining logs to remove embers.
• Make sure everything is cold to touch.
• If you do not have water, use dirt or sand by mixing in with embers.
• Do not bury the fire as it will continue to smolder and may start a wildfire.

Fireworks are illegal in Chugach National Forest. Citations will be issued for using fireworks. Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months or both.

Due to the hard work from firefighters and cooler weather, two wildfires near Cooper Landing are currently quiet. The 129-acre Stetson Creek fire was 100 percent contained June 30. The fire is located 1.5 miles south of the Sterling Highway at mile post 50 between the Russian River and Cooper Creek. The Juneau Lake fire is located five miles north of Cooper Landing near the Resurrection Pass Trail. At 580 acres, it is 80 percent contained and forest firefighters are monitoring it. They observed one smoke inside the fire’s perimeter June 30 and did not see any open flame. They do not anticipate growth on either fire but occasional smoke inside the perimeters may occur over the next several days.

Given the significantly decreased wildfire activity, the following forest areas are open:

• Cooper Creek North and South Campground
• Resurrection Pass Trail and Bean Creek Trail
• Romig, Trout Lake and Swan cabins along the Resurrection Pass Trail

The following closures remain in effect:

• Stetson Creek Trail
• Stetson Creek Fire Area (see map for information)
• Juneau Lake cabin along the Resurrection Pass Trail

For up-to-date forest wildfire information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/chugach or call 907.743.9500.

For statewide wildfire and fire restriction information, visit http://akfireinfo.com/ or call 907.356.5511.

Media Contact:  Morgan Warthin, Acting Public Affairs Officer, 907.743.9444, mwarthin@fs.fed.us