Location: 5 miles
northeast of Sterling, AK
Incident Command: Type 2
Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 4, Rick Connell, I.C.
Current Status:
Yesterday, fire crews continued to work on the fire lines checking fire spread
and suppressing hot spots on the southeast side of the fire near the Fuller
Lakes Trail and Trout Lake. A helicopter was used to help cool the areas of
heat near the Fuller Lakes Trail. South of the river and on the south side of
the fire crews continued to patrol and mop up where needed. Over on the
southwest side of the fire crews continued to cut fire weakened trees that may
fall, and chip up brush along the Skilak Road. In Cooper Landing the structure
protection group continued their work on structure protection tasks and
planning by improving defensible space and testing pumps and sprinklers. Fire
behavior was subdued overall but areas with pockets of heat were active and
some areas of interior smoke increased slightly due to periods of sunshine and
temperatures in the 60s.
Planned
Actions: Firefighters will continue to work
along the eastern side of the fire cutting fire weakened trees and chipping
brush along the Skilak Road. Existing lines on the south side of the fire will
continue to be patrolled by firefighters. Fire crews will return to the areas
where heat has been found the past few days and continue to work directly on
cooling those spots along the southeastern side of the fire. A weather system
producing rain and higher winds is expected to pass over the fire area later on
Thursday and overnight through Friday. Winds are predicted to be 15-25 mph with
potential higher gusts. The safety of firefighters on the line will be
evaluated frequently due to this weather forecast. High winds and rain pose a
risk to fire crews working around fire weakened trees and steep slopes. Fire
behavior is expected to remain low during this time although the heavy fuels
and ground duff layers will continue to hold heat.
Key
Message: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in effect over
the Swan Lake Fire airspace. Aircraft assigned to the fire are still actively
working within the TFR. There are fixed wing planes, helicopters, and unmanned
aircraft systems (UAS) or drones assigned and in use. All these aircraft are
flying at different altitudes within the TFR. When traveling on the Skilak Road
which was recently reopened to the boat launch, visitors need to be aware 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.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kpbalerts/
Public Information Phone: (208) 391-3488 Kenai Peninsula Borough: http://kpboem.com/
For a printable copy of the Swan Lake Fire Fact Sheet, click here.
For a printable copy of the Swan Lake Fire Fact Sheet, click here.
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