Firefighters from the Kenai/Kodiak Area forestry station are mopping up a small wildfire that was reported Tuesday afternoon near Tustumena Lake on the Kenai Peninsula.
The Border Lake Fire (#348) is estimated at ½ acre and is located about 3 ½ miles southwest of Tustumena Lake and approximately 6 miles east of Clam Gulch and the Sterling Highway. It is just south of Crooked Creek.
The fire was reported just after 4 p.m. Tuesday by a local resident who could see smoke about ½ mile from his cabin. The fire is not accessible by road and a helicopter was used to ferry six firefighters to the fire and drop water on the fire. The helicopter made multiple water drops to knock the fire down and firefighters secured the perimeter by getting a hose lay around the entire fire Tuesday night.
The fire was burning primarily in grass and brush and fire behavior was described as “pretty tame.” The fire was declared contained just after 10 p.m. and four firefighters camped out at the fire Tuesday night. The plan today is to finish work on the fire by mid-afternoon.
The cause of the fire is suspected to be a lightning strike that occurred four days ago.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 