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 […]
Continue reading 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 […]
Continue reading 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 […]
Continue reading 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 […]
Continue reading Swan Lake Fire Fact Sheet – 9/19/19 – 10:00
September 19, 2019 Comments Off on Swan Lake Fire Fact Sheet – 9/19/19 – 10:00
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: 57% Personnel: 265 ATTENTION: Fire weakened trees have been falling across roads and camping areas in and near the fire area due to winds. Campgrounds are closed due to these […]
Continue reading Live From the McKinley Fireline – Watch Massive 80,000 lb Remote Controlled Tree Grinder Work Along the Mat-Su Borough Right of Ways
September 18, 2019 Comments Off on Live From the McKinley Fireline – Watch Massive 80,000 lb Remote Controlled Tree Grinder Work Along the Mat-Su Borough Right of Ways
Live from the fireline – McKinley Fire debris reduction operation along the Mat-Su Borough right of ways in Yancey West. This remote controlled 80,000 pound tracked horizontal grinder arrived today to help fire crews meet the suppression repair standards. An incident excavator operator feeds the remote controlled machine as Heavy Equipment Boss Grace Cooper provides […]
Continue reading Skyline Trail remains closed due to fire-related hazards, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
September 18, 2019 Comments Off on Skyline Trail remains closed due to fire-related hazards, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
#SwanLakeFire The Skyline Trail and connecting trails remain closed due to fire-weakened trees and ash pits that present a significant hazard to recreationalists. Conditions will be re-evaluated for safety, but extensive repair may be needed before reopening the trail. Please view this video showing hazards along the Skyline Trail and visit Inciweb for current information […]
Continue reading Swan Lake Fire Fact Sheet – 9/18/19 – 11:15 AM
September 18, 2019 Comments Off on Swan Lake Fire Fact Sheet – 9/18/19 – 11:15 AM
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: 48% Personnel: 254 ATTENTION: Fire weakened trees have been falling across roads in and near the fire area due to winds. Drivers on the roads need to watch for falling trees and may experience delays. Crews will clear trees […]
Continue reading Swan Lake Fire Update – September 17, 2019 – 7:45 PM
September 17, 2019 Comments Off on Swan Lake Fire Update – September 17, 2019 – 7:45 PM
Yesterday, two helitack crew members, one bear guard, and an archaeologist flew to the Harry Johnson remote cabin to unwrap the fire protection wrap. The Harry Johnson cabin was built in 1926 by trapper Harry Johnson. There are a few of his cabins still standing on the peninsula, but this one is in fairly good […]
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