All of the equipment operators, including Vern and Neil who are featured in this short video, are critical to the success of both the suppression and repair of the McKinley Fire. Watch as Vern and Neil explain the process of reducing debris along the Mat-Stu Borough and DOT right of ways within the McKinley Fire […]
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McKinley Fire Suppression Repair: 3 Minute Video of Heavy Equipment Operators Vern and Neil
September 21, 2019 
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Swan Lake Fire, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Flyover, 9/14/2019
September 21, 2019 Comments Off on Swan Lake Fire, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Flyover, 9/14/2019
This video, shot during a flight over the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, shows a mosaic of varying degrees of burn intensity after the Swan Lake Fire passed through. While fire activity is now low, concern for public safety due to residual hazards, such as ash pits and fire-weakened trees, has prompted the need for continued […]
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Life in a remote Alaska fire camp
September 21, 2019 Comments Off on Life in a remote Alaska fire camp
While fire camps in rural Alaska can be similar to remote fires in the Lower 48, they have their own special concerns and qualities. Morning operational briefings are broadcasted over hand-held radios. Every one gathers underneath at big yellow tarp for breakfast in the morning and dinner before bedtime. The coffee pot hangs from a […]
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Swan Lake Fire Fact Sheet and Public Information Map – 9/21/19 – 10:00 AM
September 21, 2019 Comments Off on Swan Lake Fire Fact Sheet and Public Information Map – 9/21/19 – 10:00 AM
SwanLakeFire 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: 232 Current Status: Yesterday, crews continued to work on suppression repair and equipment backhaul operations in several locations around the fire. Sections of the fire perimeter continued to […]
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Trout Lake and Juneau Lake Cabin Fly Over September 14, 2019
September 20, 2019 Comments Off on Trout Lake and Juneau Lake Cabin Fly Over September 14, 2019
#SwanLakeFire A video taken during a reconnaissance flight over the Swan Lake Fire. As of 9/20/2019, closures remain in place over the fire area. Please check with the Chugach National Forest https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/chugac… for current closure status.Link to closure information as of 9/21/2019:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/…/relate…/pict20190820-171925-0.pdf
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Last Section of Kenai River to Reopen to Boaters Saturday 9/21/2019
September 20, 2019 Comments Off on Last Section of Kenai River to Reopen to Boaters Saturday 9/21/2019
#SwanLakeFire Last section of Kenai River to reopen to boaters The last section of the Kenai River closed during the Swan Lake fire will reopen for boating on Saturday, September 21, 2019. The southern channel of the Kenai River between River Mile 69.5 and 71.5 had been closed to support firefighting efforts, but recent rain […]
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McKinley Fire: Native Alaskan Wildfire Survivor Carves Walrus Ivory Into Angel and Firefighter to Say Thank You
September 20, 2019 Comments Off on McKinley Fire: Native Alaskan Wildfire Survivor Carves Walrus Ivory Into Angel and Firefighter to Say Thank You
#McKinleyFire Wildfire survivor Robert McCoy thought that his home had been destroyed by the fast moving wind-driven wildfire on August 18 2019. Fire crews were able to save Robert’s house and today Robert, an Alaskan Native and artist who works with raw walrus ivory, presented a very special tribute piece to the fire crews. Thank […]
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9/20/19 – 11:00 Swan Lake Fire Fact Sheet & Public Information Map
September 20, 2019 Comments Off on 9/20/19 – 11:00 Swan Lake Fire Fact Sheet & Public Information Map
For Printable Version of Map Click Here Location: 5 miles northeast of Sterling 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 […]
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BLM AFS, USARAK to burn debris piles on Interior Alaska training lands
September 20, 2019 Comments Off on BLM AFS, USARAK to burn debris piles on Interior Alaska training lands
The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (BLM AFS), in cooperation with the U.S. Army Alaska (USARAK), will burn piles of woody debris on military training lands in Interior Alaska starting as early as this Saturday. Burning operations for piles on the Fort Wainwright Area Main Post (FWAMP), the Tanana Flats Training Area (TFTA) […]
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McKinley Fire: Managers Reduce Speed Zone Along Parks Highway and Evacuation Levels Dropped from “1 Ready” to Zero
September 19, 2019 Comments Off on McKinley Fire: Managers Reduce Speed Zone Along Parks Highway and Evacuation Levels Dropped from “1 Ready” to Zero
Crews remain working along the Parks Highway. Please drive with caution at all times from milepost 83-91. Double fines are still in effect for speeding between milepost 87 and 91. Evacuation levels are zero for all areas impacted by the McKinley Fire. Even with recent heavier rains, deep ash pits will remain throughout the fall […]
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