06/27/15 12:45 pm Card Street Fire Update

FIRE STATUS Acres Burned:  8,876 Cause:  Human – Under Investigation Structures Destroyed:  11 Evacuations: None Closures:  west end of Skilak Loop Road Containment:  50%

RESOURCES Crews:   12 Engines: 4 Dozers: 0 Water Tenders: 2 Helicopters: 1 Total personnel:  approx. 331 Injuries: 3 (small cut, heat related illness)

Incident Summary: The Card Street fire is in the marshlands and recreation area of Skilak Lake. The fire is 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 since it began June 15 and is now 50% contained.

Current Situation:  Crews continue to strengthen and mop up firelines around the perimeter. Fire personnel will use hand held infrared devices to detect pockets of heat that can't be detected by the eye; they will marked and extinguished. Isolated pockets of heat will continue to be seen in the interior of the fire.  A total of 331 personnel are assigned to the incident including 12 fire crews, 4 fire engines and 1 helicopters.

Burn Restrictions: The Alaska Division of Forestry prohibits the use of all open fires and activities which unduly increase the fire danger.

Until further notice all cooking, warming, signaling fires or any type of fire are prohibited on state lands, including state park units, and private and municipal lands within Game Management Units 7, 13, 14, 15 and 16. The term "open fires" refers to any flame source not immediately extinguishable or controllable and applies to any form of wood or charcoal-based fire, even in established fire rings.  Gas grills, backpacking or camp stoves using fuel or compressed canisters which can be regulated and shut off are still permitted for use.  Fireworks are prohibited in the Kenai Borough. More information can be found at www.kpboem.com or http://akfireinfo.com/.

Weather Outlook: Temperatures are expected to top out at 65 degrees, with cloudy skies and occasional light rain. Winds will be east at 6-8 mph with gusts to 14 mph in the afternoon.

Closures: The US Fish and Wildlife Service has reopened many campgrounds and trails in the area.   Skilak Lake Road remains closed from the west entrance at the Sterling Highway to milepost 9.3 at the Engineer Lake Overlook.  Lower Skilak Campground and Boat Launch and Bottenintnin Lake day use area remain closed. The road is open on the east end, to the upper Skilak Lake boat launch. Motorists are encouraged to please be cautious of changing fire conditions and fire personnel in the area.  Regular updates can be found on the Refuge Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kenainationalwildliferefuge and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Virtual Joint Information Center at www.kpboem.com. For additional information, please contact the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge office during regular business hours at (907) 262-7021.

Injuries: There have been three minor injuries; a small cut finger and heat related illnesses.

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

06/27/15 9:00 am Stetson Creek and Juneau Lake fires Morning Update

Stetson Creek Fire
Acres: 212 Containment: 80%

Today's objectives: All crews are on the fire today for mop-up,
rehabilitation of the line and removing surplus equipment. On Sunday,
June 28, the Chugach National Forest will assume management of the
fire.

Juneau Lake Fire
Acres: 580 Containment: 80%

Today's objectives: The fire will be monitored from the air if
weather conditions allow for a fly-over. Minimal fire growth is
expected during the next 24 hours. Management of the fire will be
turned over to the Chugach National Forest on Sunday. InciWeb
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4307/#

Resources: 114 personnel are on the Stetson Creek Fire today.
Assigned to the two fires are two 20-person crews, an 18-person
module, 3 helicopter support, 18 team and 15 miscellaneous and
overhead staff, and one type 3 helicopter.

Injuries: One firefighter sustained minor injuries due to an
encounter with a bear. He received treatment for animal bites.

Weather: Saturday, June 27-- Cloudier and more moist conditions will
remain through Sunday afternoon. Rain will become less persistent
Saturday evening and Sunday morning. High of 58F today, Rh 72%, east
winds 4-7mph increasing to 6-11mph in the afternoon.

Closures: Burning closures are in effect for all of the Kenai
Peninsula. No open burning or campfires are allowed.

Campground/Cabin Status: Cooper Creek South campground reopened
Friday, June 26. Today, Saturday, June 27, three of four Juneau Lake
recreational use cabins reopen: Romig, Trout Lake and Swan. The
Juneau Lake cabin remains closed for monitoring needs until adequate
rain falls in the area.

06/26/15 9:00 pm Stetson Creek Juneau Lake fires: Evening Update

Stetson Creek Fire
Acres: 212
Containment: 80%

Today's objectives: Crews are mopping up, inventorying hose and
working with the Chugach National Forest to determine what will remain
on site after management of the fire is turned back to the Forest on
Sunday. InciWeb http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4306/#

Juneau Lake Fire
Acres: 580
Containment: 80%

Today's objectives: Crews, equipment and gear were removed from the
fire. Management of the fire will be turned over to the Chugach
National Forest on Sunday. InciWeb
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4307/#

Resources 114 personnel are on the fires today. Assigned to the two
fires are two 20-person crews, an 18-person module, 3 helicopter
support, 18 team and 15 miscellaneous and overhead staff, and one type
3 helicopter.

Injuries One firefighter sustained minor injuries due to an encounter
with a bear. He received treatment for animal bites.

Weather Friday, June 26: This evening, cloudy skies dominate and
rain is likely with lows around 47F, Rh of 90%, and southeast winds
8-11 mph and gusts to 17mph.

Closures Burning closures are in effect for all of the Kenai
Peninsula. No open burning or campfires are allowed.

Campground/Cabin Status: Cooper Creek South campground reopened
today. Tomorrow, Saturday, June 27, three of four Juneau Lake
recreational use cabins reopen: Romig, Trout Lake and Swan. The
Juneau Lake cabin remains closed for monitoring needs until adequate
rain falls in the area.

06/26/15 2:15 pm Kenai Peninsula Burn Closure still in Effect

The Burn Closure activated earlier this month is still in effect.  This means that there is No Open Burning allowed. This includes campfires, warming fires, signal fires, burn barrels and charcoal fires. A gas or electric BBQ grill or fish smoker is permissible.   Also, fire officials want to remind all citizens that fireworks are not allowed to be shot off on the Kenai Peninsula.  Fire suppression agency personnel continue to respond to campfires, debris burns and burn barrel fires that are under this closure order.  To clarify the difference between Closure and Suspension; A "Burn Closure" is the prohibition of all open burning including campfires. A "Burn Suspension" is the prohibition of burning under the burn permit system which allows for campfires but not for burn barrels and debris piles.  The Burn Closure is regulated via the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources and a Burn Suspension is regulated by the local Area Office of the Division of Forestry.  

 

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 

​​OR

Andy Alexandrou

Public Information Officer, 907-260-4261

andy.alexandrou@alaska.gov

###

6/26/15 10:45 am Card Street Fire Update

FIRE STATUS Acres Burned:  8,876 Cause:  Human – Under Investigation Structures Destroyed:  11 Evacuations: None Closures:  west end of Skilak Loop Road Containment:  40%

RESOURCES Crews:   12 Engines: 5 Dozers: 1 Water Tenders: 2 Helicopters: 2 Total personnel:  approx. 357 Injuries: 3 (small cut, heat related illness)

Incident Summary: The Card Street fire is in the marshlands and recreation area of Skilak Lake. The fire is 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 since it began June 15 and is now 40% contained.

Current Situation:  Isolated pockets of heat will continue to be seen in the interior of the fire. Residents are urged to only call 911 if it is an imminent threat to life or property or the fire is growing in intensity.  Heat found within 400 feet of any structure will be extinguished. Fire personnel will use hand held infrared devices to detect pockets of heat that can't be detected by the eye; they will marked and extinguished. Crews continue to construct and strengthen firelines around the entire perimeter. A total of 357 personnel are assigned to the incident including 12 fire crews, 5 fire engines and 2 helicopters.

Burn Restrictions: The Alaska Division of Forestry prohibits the use of all open fires and activities which unduly increase the fire danger.

Until further notice all cooking, warming, signaling fires or any type of fire are prohibited on state lands, including state park units, and private and municipal lands within Game Management Units 7, 13, 14, 15 and 16. The term "open fires" refers to any flame source not immediately extinguishable or controllable and applies to any form of wood or charcoal-based fire, even in established fire rings.  Gas grills, backpacking or camp stoves using fuel or compressed canisters which can be regulated and shut off are still permitted for use.  Fireworks are prohibited in the Kenai Borough. More information can be found at www.kpboem.com or http://akfireinfo.com/.

Weather Outlook: Temperatures are expected to top out at 62 degrees, with cloudy skies and scattered showers. Winds will be northeasterly at 3-5 mph in the afternoon.

Closures: The US Fish and Wildlife Service has reopened many campgrounds and trails in the area.   Skilak Lake Road remains closed from the west entrance at the Sterling Highway to milepost 9.3 at the Engineer Lake Overlook.  Lower Skilak Campground and Boat Launch and Bottenintnin Lake day use area remain closed. The road is open on the east end, to the upper Skilak Lake boat launch. Motorists are encouraged to please be cautious of changing fire conditions and fire personnel in the area.  Regular updates can be found on the Refuge Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kenainationalwildliferefuge and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Virtual Joint Information Center at www.kpboem.com. For additional information, please contact the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge office during regular business hours at (907) 262-7021.

Injuries: There have been three minor injuries; a small cut finger and heat related illnesses.

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

06/26/15 10:20 am Firefighter doing well after bear encounter due to training and emergency response

Cooper Landing – On June 22, 2015 Chugach National Forest, Glacier District Ranger Tim Charnon had an encounter with a sub-adult brown bear.  He is doing well because of bear awareness training and emergency response protocols.

The Chugach NF provides extensive training for employees on how to react to bears.  Response depends on the situation such as whether the bear is predatory or whether it has been startled, thus provoking a territorial reaction.

Charnon startled the bear while scouting the fire in a remote area near Juneau Lake.  When he first observed the bear, it was charging and there was not enough time to deploy his bear spray.  The bear swiped at Charnon knocking off his helmet.  Falling back on his training, Charnon grabbed his helmet, covered his head and dropped to the ground.  The bear swiped and bit him and ran off.  Charnon remained in place and radioed for help.

The call triggered implementation of the Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 4 (ORIIMT4) "incident within an incident" protocol which provides rapid, coordinated pre-planned response to emergency situations. It includes a nine-step medical emergency plan.  ORIIMT4 is the team managing the Stetson Creek and Juneau Lake fires.

Response came from several sources:  the ORIIMT4, Forest Service law enforcement and the fire crew at Juneau Lake.  The Type 3 helicopter assigned to the fire was launched to transport a paramedic and forest service law enforcement officer to Juneau Lake.  The local Cooper Landing Ambulance and a Life Med helicopter responded and the National Guard hoist helicopter was activated, but later cancelled.

Charnon's call alerted crew members from Montana's Lolo Type 2 IA Crew. They worked through steep, rugged terrain to reach Charnon and help him walk about a mile to a rendezvous site.  Assessment of the victim at that site led to the decision to use the most direct transport via Life Med.

​Juneau Lake Fire:  Firefighters work in brush and rugged, steep terrain similar to that where Tim Charnon encountered a sub-adult brown bear.  Photo by Kevin Laves.

Bear encounter mitigation includes training on how to respond to bear encounters, carrying bear spray, keeping food away from camp areas and providing bear protection agents (shooters) when needed.

Firefighting is an inherently dangerous activity.  Agencies continually work to mitigate dangers through training firefighters for encounters with hazards, and providing emergency response leadership and support.