9:00 pm Update – The Tustumena Lake Fire is holding at 20 acres. 12 smokejumpers were deployed to the fire joining Kenai Area DOF firefighters, two scoopers and two helicopters dropping water. The retardant tanker was able to drop one load before being diverted to the Montana Creek Fire (#312) because it was threatening homes. Firefighters will work late into the night to build fireline and set up hose lay around the fire. More crews are on order to arrive Sunday.
This will be the last update tonight.
7:30 PM — Firefighters are currently battling the 20-acre Tustumena Lake Fire (#311) approximately two miles to the northwest of the northern shores of Tustumena Lake. The fire is burning in a roadless location in black spruce away from any structures at this time. Using helicopters, firefighters were shuttled to the fire to begin suppression efforts with support from air tankers and water scooping aircraft. Additional smokejumpers have been ordered to bolster suppression efforts on the ground. Fire personnel will continue to use water dropping helicopters throughout the evening to cool the fire’s perimeter in order to construct fire line as they slow the spread of the fire.
With multiple initial attack fires occurring in the Coastal Region today, fire managers are utilizing limited resources to provide the most benefit to suppression efforts across the region. Smoke and aircraft will be visible to the public traveling along the Tustumena Lake Road but at this time the fire poses no threat to the public.
Categories: AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 