U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Opens Limited Areas to The Public for Recreation Access Effective Immediately on Thursday, September 26, 2019

United States Department of the Interior

KENAI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

P.O. Box 2139

Soldotna, Alaska  99669-2139

(907) 262-7021

September 26, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Opens Limited Areas to

The Public for Recreation Access Effective Immediately on Thursday, September 26, 2019

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 campgrounds, trails, and cabins within Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area remain closed.

Access routes to these reopened facilities pass through areas burned by the Swan Lake Fire, and some of these facilities lie immediately adjacent to burned habitats. Hazards within the burn include fire-weakened standing trees which can fall without warning and deep ash pits holding residual heat capable of causing severe burns. All lands burned by the fire within the Refuge remain closed, and the public is urged to exercise caution around these areas.

Although fire danger has decreased over much of the Kenai Peninsula, residents and visitors should remain aware and prepared. More information, detailed maps, and public safety information can be found online at kpboem.com or by visiting the official website for Chugach National Forest (https://www.fs.usda.gov/chugach/) and Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (kenai.fws.gov). For statewide fire information, visit the AICC website at https://fire.ak.blm.gov/ or http://www.akfireinfo.com.

To find a PDF copy of this press release follow the Inciweb link: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/AKKKS/2019-06-12-1534-Swan-Lake/related_files/pict20190826-132221-0.pdf