UPDATE 2 – June 28, 2019 – Friday

INCIDENT SUMMARY.    A wildfire is burning on the Kenai Peninsula, about 6 miles northeast of Sterling, Alaska. The fire is also said to be burning inside the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. This was a lightning caused fire that began on June 5th around 1852 hours AKDT.   About 56,200 acres have been destroyed but fire crews are inching closer to a higher containment, now said to be 10%.

CALL 9-1-1 OR 800-237-3633 |  Report a Wildfire

FIRE STATUS.  Fire behavior is currently actively burning with group torching, single-tree torching and spotting.  Structures are still under threat.

RESOURCES.  530 total personnel along with 15 crews, 12 engines and 6 helicopters.  Command is under the direction of an AK IMT.

Incident Cooperators:  Kenai Pen OEM, AK DOT, AK State Troopers, Homer Electric Association, Granite Construction, BLM AK Fire Service, Fish & Wildlife Service, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

Air Resources:  Aircraft are dipping out of Silak and Hidden Lakes.

FIRE FACT | Wildfires can create their own Fire Weather.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS.    The fire is currently threatening homes, private properties, the community of Sterling and the highway, utility right-of-ways and infrastructure, along with natural gas pipeline and infrastructure.  Additionally, it is causing a threat against shelter cabins and a Moose Research Center.

Cost-to-Date:  There has been a total cost-to-date of $4.5 Million for fire suppression and containment expenses.

(c) 2019 NW Fire Blog – Updated @ 2200 Hours PDT

UPDATE 1 – June 24, 2019 – Monday

INCIDENT SUMMARY

A wildfire is burning on the Kenai Peninsula, about 6 miles northeast of Sterling, Alaska. The fire is also said to be inside the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

About 32,300 acres of timber and short grass has already been destroyed.

The fire was ignited by lightning  on June 5th, around 1852 hours AKDT or 1952 hours PDT.

CALL 9-1-1 OR 800-237-3633 |  Report a Wildfire

Fire crews have gained a 9% containment status.

FIRE STATUS

Fire behavior has been reported as active with flanking, group torching and short-range spotting.   The fire is mostly being carried by Black Spruce, while minimum activity has been spotted in hardwood fuels.

There is a 40-50% mortality in Spruce stands.

TRAFFIC ALERT | Sterling Highway has very low visibility and poor air quality.

RESOURCES

• Personnel:  Total of 379 fire personnel.
• Assets:  11 crews including Yukon and 5 NW Hotshots (Winema Hotshots, Wolf Creek Hotshots and Lakeview Hotshots), 8 engines and 5 helicopters.
• Command:  AK IMT.
• Incident Cooperators:  Kenai Pen OEM, AK DOT, AK State Troopers, Homer Electric Association, Granite Construction, BLM AK Fire Service, Fish & Wildlife Service, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
• Air Resources:  Aircraft are dipping out of Silak and Hidden Lakes.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

Transmission Lines

Homer Electric Association has de-energized a 115,000 volt transmission line to help reduce potential starts, as temps rise and dry conditions continue in the fire prone area.

FIRE FACT | Wildfires can create their own Fire Weather.

Recreation Areas

Heavy smoke is pouring over the Sterling Highway.  Though the roadway is open, many recreations areas are now closed along the highway.

The Swan Lake Fire in Images:

Damage Assessments

The fire is currently threatening homes, private properties, the community of Sterling and the highway, utility right-of-ways and infrastructure, along with natural gas pipeline and infrastructure.  Additionally, it is causing a threat against shelter cabins and a Moose Research Center.

There has been a total cost-to-date of $3.4 Million for fire suppression and containment expenses.

(c) 2019 NW Fire Blog – Updated @ 2015 hours PDT