07/02/15 11:00 am Card Street Fire Update

FIRE STATUS Acres Burned:  8,876                   Containment: 90% Cause:  Human – Under Investigation Structures Destroyed:  11 Closures:  Burn closures for all fires remain on U.S. Fishand Wildlife and National Park Service campgrounds. U.S.F.S. campgrounds now allow camp fires in established fire rings or grates.

RESOURCES Crews:   3 Engines: 1 Helicopters: 1 Total personnel: 80 Injuries: 19 (Sick, soft tissue, and heat related illness)

Incident Summary: The Card Street fire began June 15 in subdivision areas south of Sterling, and spread easterly into the marshlands and recreation areas along the north shore of Skilak Lake. The fireis 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 and is now 90% contained.

Current Situation: The wildfire is being managed by Alaska Division of Forestry at the Sterling Elementary School in Sterling, AK. Crews continue to mop up and rehabilitate fire lines around the perimeter. The crews assigned are Yukon, Western Nevada and Elk Creek. Fire personnel are being transported to hot spots via boats on the southern fire perimeter along the Kenai River and Skilak Lake. Isolated pockets of smoke will continue to be observed within the interior of the fire. Visitors to the area should be mindful that snags, falling trees and ash pits pose significant hazards within the burned area.

Burn Restrictions: With the recent cooler weather, some burning restrictions have been lifted for all state, private and municipal lands on the Kenai Peninsula. Campfires, charcoal BBQ’s, warming, and cooking fires are now allowed.   Burn permits for all open burning are still suspended.  This covers the burn permit system of the Division of Forestry where debris piles and burn barrels are of concern.  Permits holders may call the “burn permit call in number” at 907-260-4269 for updated information.  As the July 4th weekend approaches, please be mindful that the use of fireworks are prohibited on the Kenai Peninsula. More information can be found at www.kpboem.com or http://akfireinfo.com/. Burn closures for all fires remain on U.S. Fish and Wildlife and National Park Service campgrounds.

U.S.F.S. campgrounds now allow camp fires in established fire rings or grates.

Weather Outlook: Cloudy with occasional rain mainly in the morning. High temperature near 70F. Windswill be WSW 5 to 10 mph. The chance of rain 80%. Total precipitation expected .03 inches.

Closures: Skilak Lake Road is now open for public travel. The Lower Skilak Campground, the boat launch and the Bottenintnin Lake day use area are now open. Motorists are encouraged to slow their vehicle speed and be cautious of fire personnel in the area.  Regular updates can be found on the Refuge page at facebook.com/kenainationalwildliferefuge and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Joint Information Center at www.kpboem.com. For additional information, please contact the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge office at (907) 262-7021.

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

	Alaska Joint Information Center:  907-356-5511 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4309 email: cardstreetfireinfo@gmail.com