9/20/19 - 11:00 Swan Lake Fire Fact Sheet & Public Information Map

For Printable Version of Fact Sheet Click Here:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/…/relate…/pict20190820-132654-0.pdf

For Printable Version of Map Click Here:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/…/relate…/pict20190820-132730-0.pdf

Location: 5 miles northeast of Sterling, AK

Incident Command: Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 4, Rick Connell, I.C.

Size:      167,164 acres                                    Containment: 68%              Personnel: 250

Current Status: Yesterday, fire crews worked along the southeastern side of the fire searching for hot spots, mopping up, and repairing suppression lines where appropriate to do so. Firefighters were flown by helicopter to the north side of the fire in order to pack up and back haul hose, pumps, and equipment from earlier infrastructure protection efforts. On the west side of the fire unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) were used to look for hot spots. No heat was found within 500 feet of the fire perimeter in that area. On the east side of the fire crews continued to work their way along the fire perimeter towards Juneau Lake completing fire suppression repair work. The structure protection group continued to backhaul pumps, hoses, tanks, and equipment from Cooper Landing. The day remained dry and partly cloudy which allowed for key air operation missions to be completed. The overall fire behavior remained low due to cooler conditions.

Planned Actions: The repair of fire suppression lines will continue in several locations around the fire. In certain key locations fire crews will continue to patrol, seek out hot spots, and mop up hot spots. These areas have been worked on for numerous days and good progress has been made. The dismantling, packing up, and backhaul of pumps, hose, drop tanks, and equipment from the Cooper Landing area will continue today. Rain showers are expected to remain over the fire area for most of today and into tomorrow morning. The recent precipitation, cool temperatures, and humidity is expected to keep fire behavior and spread potential very low. The deep duff pockets and heavy fuels will continue to smolder and cause visible smoke in places.

Key Message: Residents and visitors need to be aware that hazardous conditions exist in the burned areas that can be difficult to see. Standing trees can weaken and fall as the fire burns the organic duff layer surrounding their roots. Any amount of wind will blow these trees down. The fire has burned very deep in some places, leaving hot ash pits behind. Please remember to keep pets and children close at hand and out of the burned area.

Restrictions/Closures: An area closure remains in effect for the back channel on the south side of the Kenai River from approximately River Mile 69.5 to River Mile 71.5. All refuge and national forest lands that have been burned are currently closed to public access. All recreation facilities along the Skilak Road, including campgrounds, trails, and day use areas remain closed. 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 (9/9687 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, 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.com
Public Information Phone: (208) 391-3488
Kenai Peninsula Borough: http://kpboem.com/