Author Archives
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Ready, Set, GO lines explained: Swan Lake Fire
Rocky Gilbert, the Operations Section Chief with the Great Basin Incident Management Team talks with Brenda Ahlberg, Borough OEM Information Officer, about what the Ready, Set, Go! lines mean for Cooper Landing and Sterling. Ready means think about what you… Read More ›
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Smoke Outlook for Alaska South: 8/22 – 8/23
Kenai Peninsula: Communities closest to the Swan Lake Fire will continue to see the most smoke impacts, especially Cooper Landing. However, the eastern side should see some improvements as smoke is pushed to the west. Sterling, Soldotna, Kenai to south… Read More ›
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Swan Lake Operations Update August 22
#swanlakefire A 192-second video explaining why the Sterling Highway had to be closed temporarily yesterday afternoon and planned actions today. More crews are arriving today and aircraft, including scooper planes, are ready to fly if the air clears. 316 people… Read More ›
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McKinley Fire AM Update 8/22/19; Firefighters Make Significant Progress Building Direct Containment Lines
Update – Thursday, August 22, 2019 @ 9:00 a.m. Norm McDonald, Incident Commander Fire Information: 907-761-6233 Email: 2019_akmss_mckinley@firenet.gov Web: http://www.akfireinfo.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AK.Forestry/ Acreage: 3,752 Containment: 10% Personnel: 273 Start Date: 8/17/2019 Cause: Unknown Firefighters Make Significant Progress Building Direct Containment… Read More ›
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Swan Lake Fire Update – August 22, 2019
A community meeting will be held at the Sterling Community Center on Thursday at 6:00 pm. On Wednesday, dozers and handcrews completed a containment line from the Sterling Highway south to Skilak Lake to limit the fire’s spread to the… Read More ›
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Live – McKinley Fire Breaking News 10% Containment, 273 personnel
#McKinleyFire Breaking News: 10% Containment, 273 personnel and a decrease in overall acreage to 3,752 due to more sophisticated mapping. Firefighters continue direct attack as more crews continue to arrive. The Parks Highway remains open, but motorists are warned to… Read More ›
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Sterling Highway Open Again
Although the highway has reopened again, motorists should expect delays between MP75 and MP53, and be prepared for sudden closures due to both smoke and firefighting activities. Travelers are reminded that smoke may settle along the highway, particularly in the… Read More ›
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Firefighters and helicopters working along the Sterling Highway
Swan Lake Fire update (8/21/19 – 5 pm): Engines and crews are working on both sides of the highway (between MP75 and MP53) currently. The firefighters on the ground are being supported by helicopters doing bucket drops next to the… Read More ›
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Wildlife Troopers ask hunters to avoid active wildfire perimeters
As firefighters work on blazes, hunters are urged to adjust plans if necessary Alaska’s unusually volatile and prolonged wildfire season this year has extended into hunting season, creating challenges for firefighting crews and hunters alike. Of particular concern are popular… Read More ›
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Travel along Sterling Highway is delayed
Both lanes of traffic on Sterling Highway between MP79 and MP53 are currently closed due to fire suppression activity. The closure is expected to last for several hours on Wednesday afternoon; possibly into the early evening. When travel along… Read More ›
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 