PUBLIC MEETING THURSDAY, 6 PM
COOPER LANDING SCHOOL – 19030 BEAN CREEK ROAD
Daily Update for July 23
YESTERDAY: Moderate growth and fire activity was observed in the Thurman and Mystery Creek drainages. Occasional tree torching was seen in areas that received no precipitation. The 200 acres increase in growth was due to the fire slowly creeping in alpine tundra. Fire Crews continued to take care during mop-up operations to avoid damaging creek banks and riparian areas within 50 feet of streams and lakes. Firefighters secured a wooden bridge used for pipeline access in the northwest corner of the fire.
TODAY: As fire suppression needs decrease crews will work diligently to repair the fireline to prevent erosion. Crews will monitor by air fire in the Mystery Creek drainage that is creeping in alpine vegetation. Alpine vegetation is normally a barrier to fire spread but weather conditions have allowed these fuels to become available to burn on warm, dry days. Chipping of limbs, brush and trees will continue along the secondary containment lines. All containment lines are holding but creeping will occur in drainages that did not receive precipitation. Smoke may be visible as unburned pockets of fuel are being consumed in the interior of the fire perimeter and are expected to smolder in the 24 inch deep duff.
WEATHER: Scattered clouds will develop in the afternoon and evening with a chance of showers. Northwest winds five miles per hour or less will become light and variable this evening and remain light overnight. Partly cloudy skies are expected to last into Wednesday with afternoon showers and isolated thunderstorms possible.
AIR QUALITY: Smoke may be present in Cooper Landing and along the Sterling Highway corridor again today. For smoke forecasts from Alaska wildfires, visit UAFSMOKE at http://smoke.alaska.edu.
SUMMARY:The Kenai Peninsula experiences fire annually, however, the area of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge where the fire is burning has not seen fire since 1947. Historically, there is no record of fire in the higher elevations. Natural fire on the landscape will remove areas of black spruce to reduce future large-scale fire impacts and create more fire resilient communities.
SAFETY: Watch for construction zones and smoke along the Sterling Highway. Helicopters will be active in the southeast corner of the fire along Sterling highway near Upper Jean Lake. Please obey the speed limit and do not stop along the highway shoulder in order to protect firefighters, construction crews, and other drivers. Alaska State Troopers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers are monitoring for visibility impacts due to smoke and fog on Sterling and Seward Highways. Please use headlights. For current road conditions visit http://511.alaska.gov. The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) includes the western portion of the Chugach National Forest and the Sterling Highway corridor. Violators of the TFR will be reported to the FAA. The use of drones in the TFR and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge are not permitted. Current TFR details and NOTAM 9/0573 is available at: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_9_0573.html.
Swan Lake Fire Public Information Map
Swan Lake Fire Progression Map
Open Fire Restrictions Interactive Map
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 