With favorable winds at their backs, firefighters on the Swan Lake Fire began “burnout” operations along a section of the Sterling Highway at about 2:30 p.m. today.  Hot shot crews using drip torches are methodically lighting unburned fuel on the south side of the highway approximately between mile markers 63.5 and 66.5. The crews are working from both ends and will meet in the middle, if the favorable winds persist long enough. Conducting such operations allows fire managers to have control of the fire on their terms and will help secure the highway corridor by removing fuel between the road and the advancing wildfire.

Long traffic delays on the highway remain possible as traffic is being piloted through, a single lane at a time. Do not stop along the highway.

Categories: AK Fire Info