NOTE:
Friday, June 30, 2017
06/30/17 09:35 AM Fireworks Prohibited - Where?
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
06/27/17 3:15 PM East Fork Fire Transitions to a Type 4 Incident
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akfirepios posted: "This will be the final update for the East Fork Fire unless significant activity occurs. Transition to a Type 4 Incident Commander took place this morning at 7am. The last of the smokejumpers and overhead are being shuttled out of the field today. The "
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East Fork Fire Transitions to a Type 4 Incident
by akfirepiosThis will be the final update for the East Fork Fire unless significant activity occurs.
Transition to a Type 4 Incident Commander took place this morning at 7am. The last of the smokejumpers and overhead are being shuttled out of the field today. The Pioneer Peak Hotshots will remain in the field to monitor the fire and finalize improvements to the ENSTAR natural gas pipeline corridor.
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A photo of Smokejumpers on the first day as they pack up their parachutes and receive supplies via paracargo. Photo Credit: Robert Yeager
The lightning-caused 1,016-acre fire continues to burn in a limited protection area of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. As of this morning there were 49 personnel assigned to the fire but nearly half of them will be demobilizing and traveling home today.
Cloud cover and light rains have moved into the area and are expected to continue to moderate the fire activity. Although parts of the Kenai Peninsula are receiving significant amounts of rain, the fire area is in a rain shadow, therefore is not expected to receive much rain over the next few days. Fires burning in deep duff and tundra require significant amounts of rain to put them completely out. Therefore, fire activity will likely increase once again when warmer and drier weather returns to the area.
The temporary flight restriction (TFR) that was in place over the fire has been canceled. There are still aircraft working in the area throughout today and flights to monitor the fire and provide supplies to the crew in the field will continue daily. Pilots are asked to remain vigilant while flying near the fire.
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Smokey talking to kids about being FireWise at the Open House in Sterling. Photo Credit: Celeste Prescott
Over 10 miles of hose, and pumps to run them all, are in place along the existing fire breaks. The ENSTAR natural gas pipeline corridor and the newly built hand line, running from the southwest corner of the fire's current perimeter for 2.5 miles to the south where it ties into the pipeline, are prepped to use as fire breaks. A map marking the locations of all the pumps and equipment in the field was created for the turnkey operation. If fire activity increases, then the proposed burnout operation may need to be conducted to protect the Sterling Highway and the community of Sterling. The public is asked to please steer clear of crews working in the area and all firefighting equipment that is in place.
Thank you to the public and the agencies that attended and participated in the Community Open House in Sterling last night. It is always great to have one-on-one time with the public and cooperating agencies.
During these wet weather days, residents are encouraged to take steps on their own properties to reduce wildfire risk using tips found on the FireWise website: http://www.firewise.org/wildfire-preparedness/firewise-toolkit.aspx
For more information, contact Alaska Division of Forestry public information officer Celeste Prescott at 907-244-9376. Information about the fire is also being posted on akfireinfo.com, KPBOEM.blogspot.com and inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5250/.
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Monday, June 26, 2017
06/26/17 11:00 AM East Fork Fire Community Meeting in Sterling tonight @ 5pm
Sunday, June 25, 2017
06/25/17 3:20PM Temporary Flight Restrictions
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akfirepios posted: "There have been numerous aircraft busting the temporary flight restriction (TFR) in place over the fire. The TFR is in place to provide for the safety of fire-related aircraft operations. Pilots should check with the Federal Aviation Administration before"
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5753
by akfirepiosThere have been numerous aircraft busting the temporary flight restriction (TFR) in place over the fire. The TFR is in place to provide for the safety of fire-related aircraft operations. Pilots should check with the Federal Aviation Administration before flying in the area. The most up to date TFR is available at http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html.
The return of warmer and drier weather has started to dry the fuels around the East Fork Fire which is burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. As of noon today, there were only a couple visible smokes within the fire perimeter, but as the day progresses there is potential to see an increase in fire activity and smoke production.
The lightning-caused 1,016-acre fire that is burning in a limited protection area has not grown in the last 4 days. The demobilization process has begun and we now have 121 personnel assigned. Due to the predicted weather and possible increase in fire activity, the White Mountain type 2IA crew that was scheduled for release today is being kept for one more shift. The North Star type 2 crew and the Chena Hotshots will be released tomorrow as well. All scheduled releases are dependent on fire activity remaining moderate.
Tentative transition to a type 4 organization is planned for Tuesday. The Pioneer Peak Hotshots and some overhead will remain in the field to monitor the fires perimeter and improve the fire breaks.
Firehose has been laid and pumps have been placed along the hand cut fire break and the ENSTAR natural gas pipeline easement. A map has been completed with the locations of all supplies and features in place for a turnkey operation in case the fire picks back up and the proposed burnout operation is needed to protect the Sterling Highway and the community of Sterling. The public is asked to please steer clear of crews working in the area and all firefighting equipment that is in place.
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A helicopter shutdown at a helispot on the western perimeter of the East Fork Fire. Photo Credit: Celeste Prescott
An open house will be held on Monday, 6/26, at the Sterling Elementary School from 5-7pm. Stop by to talk with East Fork Fire personnel as well as local officials from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, The Alaska Division of Forestry, The Kenai Peninsula Borough, Office of Emergency Management, Central Emergency Services and Alaska State Troopers.
During these wet weather days, residents are encouraged to take steps on their own properties to reduce wildfire risk using tips found on the FireWise website: http://www.firewise.org/wildfire-preparedness/firewise-toolkit.aspx
For more information, contact Alaska Division of Forestry public information officer Celeste Prescott at 907-244-9376. Information about the fire is also being posted on akfireinfo.com, KPBOEM.blogspot.com and inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5250/.
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Saturday, June 24, 2017
06/24/17 12:20 PM Warmer and Drier Conditions Return to the East Fork Fire
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akfirepios posted: "The recent cool and damp weather conditions moderated fire behavior on the East Fork Fire burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Warm and dry weather has returned to the Peninsula and is predicted to continue through the weekend. The change in wea"
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Warmer and Drier Conditions Return to the East Fork Fire
by akfirepiosThe recent cool and damp weather conditions moderated fire behavior on the East Fork Fire burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Warm and dry weather has returned to the Peninsula and is predicted to continue through the weekend. The change in weather will likely cause an increase in fire activity and smoke production.
The East Fork Fire remains at 1,016 acres with 145 personnel currently assigned. The fire continues to burn in a limited protection area about 4.5 miles north of the Sterling Highway and 3.5 miles east of the nearest residential area.
Fire management's objectives remain the same on the lightning-caused fire; minimize the impact on values at risk on the south end of the fire and the natural gas pipeline corridor to the southeast, as well as to keep the fire east of the East Fork of the Moose River.
Firehose has been laid and pumps have been placed along the hand cut fire break. Fire crews continue to lay hose and place pumps along the ENSTAR natural gas pipeline easement. Firefighters have completed clearing a 100-foot radius around the pipeline valves and are now clearing some black spruce that's growing on the north side of the easement.
A map is being made with all the locations of supplies and features in place for a turnkey operation in case the fire picks back up and the proposed burnout operation is needed to protect the Sterling Highway and community of Sterling. The public is asked to please steer clear of crews working in the area and all firefighting equipment that is in place.
The Tanana Chiefs Crew is being released from the incident today and will begin their travel home. The White Mountain crew from Fairbanks will be released tomorrow. If fire activity remains moderate through the weekend, then two more crews will be released on Monday which would leave Pioneer Peak Hotshots as the only remaining crew in the field and assigned to the fire as of Tuesday morning. Tentative transition back to the local unit as a type 4 organization is expected Tuesday or Wednesday.
An open house will be held on Monday, 6/26, at the Sterling Elementary School from 5-7pm. Stop by to talk with East Fork Fire personnel as well as local officials from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, The Alaska Division of Forestry, The Kenai Peninsula Borough, Office of Emergency Management, Central Emergency Services and Alaska State Troopers.
The temporary flight restriction (TFR) in place over the fire to provide for the safety of fire-related aircraft operations has been modified. Pilots should check with the Federal Aviation Administration before flying in the area. The most up to date TFR is available at http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html.
During these wet weather days, residents are encouraged to take steps on their own properties to reduce wildfire risk using tips found on the FireWise website: http://www.firewise.org/wildfire-preparedness/firewise-toolkit.aspx
For more information, contact Alaska Division of Forestry public information officer Celeste Prescott at 907-244-9376. Information about the fire is also being posted on akfireinfo.com, KPBOEM.blogspot.com and inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5250/.
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Friday, June 23, 2017
06/23/17 2:00 PM East Fork Fire to Begin Demobilizing
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akfirepios posted: "Current cool and damp weather conditions continue to moderate fire behavior on the East Fork Fire burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Due to the moderating fire activity, fire managers are beginning the demobilization process and expect to star"
New post on AK Fire Info
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East Fork Fire to Begin Demobilizing
by akfirepiosCurrent cool and damp weather conditions continue to moderate fire behavior on the East Fork Fire burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Due to the moderating fire activity, fire managers are beginning the demobilization process and expect to start releasing crews over the weekend.
The lightning-caused fire remains approximately 1,016 acres with 145 personnel assigned. Since no change to the perimeter has occurred, no new map will be produced today. The fire continues to burn in a limited protection area about 4.5 miles north of the Sterling Highway and 3.5 miles east of the nearest residential area.
Yesterday, an infrared flight of the fire showed scattered heat on the southern and eastern perimeters. Fire management's main objectives continue to be to minimize the impact on values at risk on the south end of the fire and the natural gas pipeline corridor to the southeast, as well as to keep the fire east of the East Fork of the Moose River.
A warming and drying trend is predicted for the weekend. However, if the fire activity remains moderate and the objectives are being met, then there will be no need at this time for the strategic burnout operation. As discussed earlier in the week, the burnout remains an option to help manage the fire on the southern and western flanks.
Firefighters continue to improve the new fuel break that runs from the fire's southwest corner, about 2 ½ miles south to the ENSTAR natural gas pipeline, and lay water hose along the fire break and the pipeline easement. This work will assist with the burnout operation if conditions change, causing the fire to become active again and threaten the Sterling Highway and community of Sterling. The public is asked to please steer clear of crews working in the area.
The temporary flight restriction (TFR) in place over the fire to provide for the safety of fire-related aircraft operations has been modified. Pilots should check with the Federal Aviation Administration before flying in the area. The most up to date TFR is available at http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html.
During these wet weather days, residents are encouraged to take steps on their own properties to reduce wildfire risk using tips found on the FireWise website: http://www.firewise.org/wildfire-preparedness/firewise-toolkit.aspx
For more information, contact Alaska Division of Forestry public information officer Celeste Prescott at 907-244-9376. Information about the fire is also being posted on akfireinfo.com, KPBOEM.blogspot.com and inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5250/.
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