9/11/19 - 9:00 AM - Swan Lake Fire Fact Sheet

Location: 5 miles northeast of Sterling, AK

Incident Command: Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 4, Rick Connell, I.C.

Size: 163,714 acres
Containment: 37%
Personnel: 380

Current Status: Firefighters continued to patrol, mop up, cut fire weakened trees that may fall, and chip up brush on the fire lines along the western and southwestern side of the fire near Sterling and Skilak Lake. Some pockets of heat were found in a couple of locations on the southeast side of the fire yesterday near the Fuller Lakes Trail and Trout Lake. Fire Crews in both locations worked to suppress those areas of heat. The structure protection group continued to work in Cooper Landing on structure assessment and planning. Fire behavior continued to be subdued by cooler temperatures and higher humidity. The fire is still smoldering in the duff ground layer in several locations.

Planned Actions: Firefighters will patrol along the eastern side of the fire and continue to cut fire weakened trees and chip brush along the Skilak Road. Existing lines around the southeastern and southwestern sides of the fire will continue to be patrolled. On the southeastern side of the fire crews will work directly along the fire lines where heat was found over the past few days. Helicopters will be available for bucket drops if necessary. Today is expected to be the driest day of the week but still moderated by some cloud cover and occasional sprinkles of rain. Fire behavior is expected to remain subdued but crews will stay alert for any changes. The weather forecast continues to include a good probability of rain associated with a low pressure system moving through on Thursday through Friday.

Key Message: Visitors using the Skilak Lake Road to access the boat launch and lake please remember to SLOW DOWN on the road in order to keep everyone safe. Numerous firefighters and fire equipment are working along this road and in the area. Any time you see fire crews and vehicles please remember to slow down and drive carefully in order to prevent an accident. One clarification from yesterday’s closure changes is that Bottenintnin Lake is also reopened. Reminder that hazardous conditions exist in the burned areas that can be difficult to see. Standing trees can be weakened as the fire burns the organic duff layer surrounding their roots. The fire has burned very deep in some places, leaving ash pits behind.

Restrictions: An area closure remains in effect for a channel on the south side of the Kenai River from approximately River Mile 69.5 to River Mile 71.5. The Kenai River remains closed beyond Jim’s Landing to Skilak Lake. The Lower Skilak campground and day use facility remains closed. All the lands off the Lower Skilak boat access road, including Marsh Lake and day use facilities remain closed. Additionally all refuge lands that have been burned are closed to public access. Information on these closures is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6387/.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): The current TFR in place for air space over the Swan Lake Fire (9/2925 NOTAM) will lesson impacts to local aviation operators. Remember that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!

Cooperating Agencies: US Fish and Wildlife Service, State of Alaska Division of Forestry, US Forest Service, Alaska State Parks, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Central Emergency Services, Cooper Landing Volunteer Fire Department, Alaska State Troopers, National Guard, Alaska Department of Transportation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. #Swanlakefire

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6387/

Email: 2019.swanlake@firenet.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kpbalerts/
Alaska Fire Info: https://akfireinfo.com
Public Information Phone: (208) 391-3488
Kenai Peninsula Borough: http://kpboem.com/

Please go to the InciWeb link:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6387/51066/ for the most current openings and closures in the area of the Swan Lake Fire.

For a printable Swan Lake Fire Fact Sheet, click here.

For a printable Swan Lake Fire Information map, click here. The Swan Lake Fire is still 163,714 acres and 37% contained, and the map remains the same as on September 10, 2019.