07/15/19 Swan Lake Fire Update

Click HERE for a printable version of the update, maps and notifications.

The Eastern Area Incident Management Team Type 2 assumed command of the Swan Lake Fire at 8:00 a.m. today.  Minimal fire spread was observed again yesterday with limited interior smoldering and isolated torching.  The east flank of the fire continues to smolder in the Chickaloon River, Thurman Creek, and Mystery Creek drainages with little growth potential in the next 72 hours. Crews are utilizing natural features and existing trails as fire lines to establish control lines to curb eastward fire spread.  These improvements will reduce the chance of fire spread in the future, resulting in more fire resilient landscapes and communities. The west flank of the fire has been kept in check by a system of wetlands and control lines. Mop up efforts remain a challenge as extremely dry fuels are very susceptible to ignition.  Fifty percent of all the fire objectives have been completed at this time.

Yesterday there were scattered showers over the Kenai Peninsula, however the fire area did not receive significant rain fall.  Although we are experiencing lower temperatures and precipitation, fuels remain abnormally dry.


WEATHER:  Today will be mostly cloudy in the morning with isolated showers predicted for the afternoon. Temperatures are expected to be in the lower 70s with breezy northeasterly winds in the morning, shifting to southeasterly in the afternoon.


AIR QUALITY: Light southeast winds will likely push smoke from the fire to the north giving local communities improved air quality.  Cooper Landing and sections of Sterling Highway could see some light smoke impacts overnight. For smoke forecasts from Alaska wildfires, visit UAFSMOKE at http://smoke.alaska.edu.


SAFETY:  Watch for construction zones and smoke along the Sterling Highway. Alaska State Troopers and US Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officers are monitoring for visibility impacts due to smoke and fog on Sterling and Seward Highways.  Please use headlights. For current road conditions visit http://511.alaska.gov. The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) includes the western portion of the Chugach National Forest and the Sterling Highway corridor. Pilots can confirm the current TFR restrictions at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_9_0573.html .  The use of drones in the TFR and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is not permitted.


FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Open fires and campfires are prohibited on the Kenai Peninsula and in other areas of Alaska. For further information, please contact the appropriate agencies listed below.

• Kenai National Wildlife Refuge: http://kenai.fws.gov 907-262-7021 or 907-260-2820
• Chugach National Forest: www.fs.usda.gov/chugach 907-288-3178
• Alaska Division of Forestry: www.akfireinfo.com www.facebook.com/AK.Forestry/ 907-356-5511
• Alaska Division of State Parks: www.dnr.alaska.gov 907-262-5581
• Kenai Peninsula Borough: www.kpboem.com 907-262-4636
• Kenai Fjords National Park: https://www.nps.gov/kefj/index.htm 907-422-0500

CLOSURES: For closure information regarding the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge within the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area, go to http://kenai.fws.gov or call 907-262-7021 or 907-260-2820.  There are partial area closures near Resurrection Pass Trail and some facilities, trails, and roads within the Chugach National Forest. For the latest information on closures and fire restrictions please go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/chugach/news-events.