08/17/2019 Swan Lake Fire Evening Smoke Activity

Today's high winds increased activity on the Swan Lake Fire as forecast.  This afternoon the fire was much more visible from both west and east.

Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire 8/17 at 6pm as seen from Soldotna (west of the fire)

Smoke as seen from Cooper Landing mid day on 8/17

In response to this increase in activity, recreational trails are closed on both Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (Fuller Lakes and Skyline Trail) and on the Chugach National Forest (Resurrection Pass Trail south of the junction of Devil’s Pass Trail to the Resurrection Pass Trail head at mile 53.2 Sterling Highway.)

Smoky skies above the Kenai River

Trees torching near Skyline Trail.

Increasing smoke near guardrail on the Kenai River.

Smoke is changeable but there is an expectation that similar wind direction tomorrow will continue the smoky conditions.  An online resource to see real time air quality for Cooper Landing is here.