07/13/15 9:30 am Kenai Peninsula Burn Suspension Lifted

Soldotna, Alaska – The Burn Suspension activated earlier this month will be lifted as of 12:00 PM today.  This means that Permitted Burning is allowed once again.  This includes only approved burn barrels, and brush/debris piles no larger than 10’ across and 4’ high.  Fire officials want to remind all citizens that fireworks are not allowed and cannot be shot off on the Kenai Peninsula. 

Those planning on operating a burn barrel or burning a debris pile must call the burn permit hotline at:  907-260-4269  each day before they burn and leave their name, location of the burn, and a good contact phone number to be reached at.

Residents must follow the guidelines on the burn permits before burning. They are also reminded that the area around the burn barrel must be at least 30’ from structures and overhead power lines, cleared at least 10’ around down to mineral soil, must have a no larger than a 5/8-inch gapped metal mesh screen on top of it, and covering all ventilation holes. They also must have water and a shovel nearby and be attendance of the burn at all times until it is complete.

CONTACT:

Department of Natural Resources

Division of Forestry

Kenai-Kodiak Area Office

Soldotna, Alaska

Dan Govoni, Fire Prevention Officer, 907-260-4260

dan.govoni@alaska.gov

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07/10/15 9:00 am Card Street Fire Rests at 8,876 Acres - Closing Release

Soldotna, Alaska – The Type-3 Incident Management Team has met the objectives set forth by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge managers and the Division of Forestry.  A Type-4 suppression organization will transition with the Type-3 team today and take command of the Card Street Fire. The repair work (rehab) of the dozer lines, patrol of the roads and subdivisions to ensure the fire would not rekindle in those areas has been completed. The entire perimeter of the Card Street Fire has been and will continue to be assessed to identify any heat along the fires edge.  The Type-4 Fire Team will continue to watch for hot spots with emphasis on the interior where unburned islands of black spruce trees may remotely pose a threat.  As with large Alaskan fires the possibility of smoke rising again is probable with a drying trend from Mother Nature.  The Card Street fire will be watched with the intention that any adverse flames or smoke sighted will be extinguished.

A Burn Suspension continues on the Kenai Peninsula.  A Burn “Suspension” is the prohibition of burning under the burn permit system. The Burn Permit call in number is 907-260-4269.  Citizens are reminded that burning debris piles or the use of burn barrels is prohibited.  A camp fire, signal, and warming fires no larger than 3x3 feet in size, charcoal and gas BBQ’s as well as fish smokers are permissible.  The “Open Fires Restriction” on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge lands has been lifted.  Please be sure to extinguish your fire.

The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and the Division of Forestry greatly appreciated the cooperation of the public during the Card Street incident and continuing Burn Suspension.

CONTACT:

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

Soldotna, Alaska

907-262-7021

Andy Alexandrou - Public Information Officer

Division of forestry, Soldotna Alaska

907-260-4261/907-260-4200

STAY CONNECTED:

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07/09/15 5:00 pm July 11-25, 2015 - Dumpsters Provided to Sterling Residents Impacted by the Card Street Fire

Solid Waste Notification: Starting Saturday July 11th, 2015 two large dumpsters will be placed off of Trout Lane (near the intersection of Kenai Keys/Feuding Ln) for households impacted by the Card Street Fire. Solid waste collection is limited to fire-related, household debris only.

This service will only be available from July 11- 25, 2015.

No construction, bulky waste, wood debris or hazard materials. Such items must be taken to the Central Peninsula Landfill.

“Think before You Throw!” Visit www.kpb.us/swd-waste

Hazardous materials will be accepted at the Central Peninsula Landfill on July 18th.

Another solid waste collection site will be in place early next week on Alamo Street.

NOTE: Arrangements for brush and woody debris will be announced at a later date for impacted households

For the disposal of fire affected vehicles, individuals can contact Peninsula Scrap and Salvage at 262-7258 to discuss disposal of such items. The Borough is unable to provide this service.

07/07/15 2:30 pm Open Fires Restriction Lifted on Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

Effective immediately, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is canceling the open fire restriction on all lands of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge due to recent weather which has reduced the ignition potential for wildfires.

The recent precipitation has dampened fire danger and wildfire activity has moderated on the Refuge but the fires currently burning are not out. The deeper layers of ground level fuels remain extremely dry, and it will take significant rain to extinguish fires.

Visitors are reminded to use caution with campfires and any ignition source that could spark a wildfire. You are responsible for the fires you start. Please follow these guidelines to extinguish your fire completely:
• Allow the wood to burn to ash if possible.
• Pour lots of water on the fire and drown all embers.
• Stir the wet ashes and embers with a shovel.
• Scrape any remaining logs to remove embers.
• Make sure everything is cold to the touch.
• If you do not have water, use dirt or sand and mix in with embers.
• Do not bury the fire as it will continue to smolder and may start a wildfire.
• Never leave a fire of any kind unattended.

For additional information, please contact the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge office during regular business hours at (907) 262-7021.

07/07/15 8:50 am Card Street Fire Cools

Soldotna, Alaska  – As the Type-3 Incident Management Team assumed the responsibilities of the fire direction and priorities were identified.  Protection of life and property remains number 1.  A Division of Forestry Fire Engine is patrolling the roads and subdivisions for any hot spots or smokes and will extinguish all found.  Repair work continues where dozer fire lines were constructed to stop the spread of the fire.  Repair work is defined as putting back the natural vegetation that was removed by the dozer when the dozer fire line was constructed. In addition to the patrolling and repair of the fire the entire perimeter is being monitored with a special interest focused on the north side of the lake near the outlet of Skilak Lake for any outbreak of flames or smoke. There are 14 firefighters, an Engine and Helicopter working on this 8,876 acre fire.

The National Weather Service is forecasting cloudy and rainy conditions for the next few days.  Any additional moisture will aid the suppression effort and minimize single tree and group tree torching in the interior of the fire that usually occurs on large Alaskan fires.  The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge  has a burn restriction in place that all “Open Fires” are prohibited on Refuge Lands and the Kenai Peninsula Borough remains under a “Burn Suspension” order which prohibits burning debris piles and burn barrels but allows for campfires, warming, signal, charcoal fires and gas  BBQ grills and fish smokers.

CONTACT:  Andy Alexandrou - Public Information Officer

        Division of Forestry

        Kenai-Kodiak Area Office

        Soldotna, Alaska

        907-260-4261

        andy.alexandrou@alaska.gov

STAY CONNECTED:

DNR Newsroom: http://dnr.alaska.gov/commis/dnr_newsroom.htm

DNR on Social Media:  http://dnr.alaska.gov/commis/social_media.htm

DNR Public Information Center: http://dnr.alaska.gov/commis/pic/

07/02/15 11:00 am Card Street Fire Update

FIRE STATUS Acres Burned:  8,876                   Containment: 90% Cause:  Human – Under Investigation Structures Destroyed:  11 Closures:  Burn closures for all fires remain on U.S. Fishand Wildlife and National Park Service campgrounds. U.S.F.S. campgrounds now allow camp fires in established fire rings or grates.

RESOURCES Crews:   3 Engines: 1 Helicopters: 1 Total personnel: 80 Injuries: 19 (Sick, soft tissue, and heat related illness)

Incident Summary: The Card Street fire began June 15 in subdivision areas south of Sterling, and spread easterly into the marshlands and recreation areas along the north shore of Skilak Lake. The fireis established in a full suppression area of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and all actions are being taken to keep the fire at the smallest possible acreage. The fire has burned 8,876 acres and is now 90% contained.

Current Situation: The wildfire is being managed by Alaska Division of Forestry at the Sterling Elementary School in Sterling, AK. Crews continue to mop up and rehabilitate fire lines around the perimeter. The crews assigned are Yukon, Western Nevada and Elk Creek. Fire personnel are being transported to hot spots via boats on the southern fire perimeter along the Kenai River and Skilak Lake. Isolated pockets of smoke will continue to be observed within the interior of the fire. Visitors to the area should be mindful that snags, falling trees and ash pits pose significant hazards within the burned area.

Burn Restrictions: With the recent cooler weather, some burning restrictions have been lifted for all state, private and municipal lands on the Kenai Peninsula. Campfires, charcoal BBQ’s, warming, and cooking fires are now allowed.   Burn permits for all open burning are still suspended.  This covers the burn permit system of the Division of Forestry where debris piles and burn barrels are of concern.  Permits holders may call the “burn permit call in number” at 907-260-4269 for updated information.  As the July 4th weekend approaches, please be mindful that the use of fireworks are prohibited on the Kenai Peninsula. More information can be found at www.kpboem.com or http://akfireinfo.com/. Burn closures for all fires remain on U.S. Fish and Wildlife and National Park Service campgrounds.

U.S.F.S. campgrounds now allow camp fires in established fire rings or grates.

Weather Outlook: Cloudy with occasional rain mainly in the morning. High temperature near 70F. Windswill be WSW 5 to 10 mph. The chance of rain 80%. Total precipitation expected .03 inches.

Closures: Skilak Lake Road is now open for public travel. The Lower Skilak Campground, the boat launch and the Bottenintnin Lake day use area are now open. Motorists are encouraged to slow their vehicle speed and be cautious of fire personnel in the area.  Regular updates can be found on the Refuge page at facebook.com/kenainationalwildliferefuge and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Joint Information Center at www.kpboem.com. For additional information, please contact the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge office at (907) 262-7021.

Cooperating Agencies: Alaska Division of Forestry, Alaska State Troopers, Kenai Peninsula Borough, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

	Alaska Joint Information Center:  907-356-5511 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4309 email: cardstreetfireinfo@gmail.com