8/19/19 Caribou Lake Fire Northeast of Homer, Grows to 150 acres

Caribou Lake Fire

The fast moving Caribou Lake Fire, located about 25 miles northeast of Homer in the Fox Creek Drainage, has grown from approximately 50 acres to approximately 150 acres in the last hour. A load of smokejumpers have been deployed to work on structure protection for the nearly 30 structures that are threatened by the fire.

Caribou Lake Fire

Tactical firefighting aircraft – including Fire Bosses, two heavy airtankers, and the local Alaska Division of Forestry helicopter – are currently assisting firefighters on the ground with both water and retardant drops. The fire is 100 percent active, burning in black spruce, and backing east due to winds from the west.

Because of aircraft working in the area, civilians are asked to stay out of the area for their own safety. Being in the area, even on the ground, can impede fire operations