9/26/19 - 11:00 AM - Swan Lake Fire Fact Sheet and Public Information Map

9/26/19 - 11:00 AM - Swan Lake Fire Fact Sheet and Public Information Map

#SwanLakeFire 

Thursday, September 26, 2019 

Incident Command: Alaska Type 3 Organization, Zane Brown Incident Commander

Size: 167,164 acres                               Containment: 81%                    Personnel: 102

Containment lines were tested by the gusty winds that traveled through the fire area on Wednesday. Those lines held successfully throughout the day due to the hard work that has been put in by fire crews this summer.

A US Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team has been deployed to assess the potential post-wildfire hazards that could arise in the Resurrection Trail area. After a fire, the first priority is emergency stabilization in order to prevent further damage to life, property or natural resources on public lands. Rehabilitation focuses on the lands unlikely to recover naturally from wildland fire damage. The gusty winds, coupled with rain and snow in the higher elevations, made it unsafe to insert the team in the Trout Lake area on Wednesday. When the weather cooperates, the team will be flown up by helicopter to complete their assessment of the area.

Due to the cooler, wetter weather, fire behavior will remain low, however deep pockets of duff and heavy fuels will continue to smolder and produce visible smoke in some locations for several weeks and possibly months. Trails remain closed due to fire-weakened trees and ash pits that present a significant hazard to recreationalists. Conditions will be re-evaluated for safety, but extensive repair may be needed before reopening the trail.

Restrictions/Closures: The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is opening the Hidden Creek Trail, Skilak Lookout Trail, Bear Mountain Trail, Upper Ohmer Cabin and Watson Lake Campground. Skilak Lake Road, Bottenintnin Lake day use area and the boat launches at Upper Skilak, Lower Skilak and Jim’s Landing were opened previously and remain open. All other areas including the campgrounds, trails, and cabins within Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area remain closed.Contact the Refuge Visitor Center by calling 907-260-2820 or by clicking www.kenai.fws.gov. Information on these closures are available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6387/

Homer Electric Association Project: The Homer Electric Association(HEA) will begin work on fire damaged transmission lines that have  been out of service for many years. HEA will work with the Alaska Department of Transportation and the Alaska State Troopers to mitigate traffic delays along the Sterling Highway near Milepost 62.5 and 58.0 while the work is being conducted on Thursday, September 26, 2019 between 10:00 am and 3:00 p.m. Once these lines are removed, the expectation is that the remaining lines will not  present a threat of falling on the highway. A copy of the HEA Press Release can be found on Inciweb at the link below.  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/AKKKS/2019-06-12-1534-Swan-Lake/related_files/pict20190825-194156-0.pdf

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): The current TFR in place for air space over part of the Swan Lake Fire (9/9687 NOTAM) will lessen 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, Alaska Department of Transportation, Alaska Department of Fish & Game.

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6387/
Email: 2019.swanlake@firenet.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kpbalerts/
Alaska Fire Info: https://akfireinfo.comPublic
Information Phone: (208) 391-3488
Kenai Peninsula Borough: http://kpboem.com/

For printable version of Fact Sheet click here: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/AKKKS/2019-06-12-1534-Swan-Lake/related_files/pict20190826-135425-0.pdf
For printable version of Map click here: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/AKKKS/2019-06-12-1534-Swan-Lake/related_files/2019_09_25-13.54.59.987-CDT.pdf