10 p.m. Update – This will be the final update of the evening. For highway information, go to 511.Alaska.gov. Firefighters continue to work furiously to contain two wildfires burning about 20 miles apart on the opposite side of the Parks Highway, one of which temporarily closed the highway between mileposts 88 to 93. As of […]
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Parks Highway re-opened as state forestry battles two wildfires in Mat-Su Valley
August 17, 2019 
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Crow Pass Fire perks up with warm weather; Steeple Fire put to bed
August 16, 2019 Comments Off on Crow Pass Fire perks up with warm weather; Steeple Fire put to bed
Given the warm, dry weather that has persisted in Southcentral Alaska, the Division of Forestry’s Mat-Su Area office continues to keep an eye on two small wildfires that started last week near Eagle River. State forestry received multiple calls about increased activity and smoke from the Crow Pass Fire (#713) on Thursday. The fire is […]
Continue reading Swan Lake Fire continues to put up smoke along Sterling Highway; fire weather watch issued through Saturday
August 16, 2019 Comments Off on Swan Lake Fire continues to put up smoke along Sterling Highway; fire weather watch issued through Saturday
A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for the Swan Lake Fire area from 4 p.m. today through Saturday evening for hot, dry, and windy conditions. A Fire Weather Watch is an alert to firefighters and land managers to the high potential for conditions to develop that could lead to an increase in fire danger […]
Continue readingCloud cover moderates fire activity on Swan Lake Fire
August 14, 2019 Comments Off on Cloud cover moderates fire activity on Swan Lake Fire
Cloud cover throughout the operational period yesterday once again moderated fire behavior on the 102,548-acre Swan Lake Fire burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge despite strong winds from the south. Interior islands of green fuels continued to burn out but there was little new perimeter growth. Water drops from helicopters were used to cool an […]
Continue reading Reseeding begins on Swan Lake Fire dozer lines
August 13, 2019 Comments Off on Reseeding begins on Swan Lake Fire dozer lines
The 11 miles of dozer line constructed to control the spread of the Swan Lake Fire north of the Sterling Highway have been repaired and reseeding operations began Monday, according to the Alaska Division of Forestry. Fire personnel are utilizing a hydro-seeder as well as hand-seeding on steeper slopes to prevent erosion and to mitigate […]
Continue reading State forestry working to contain small wildfire in steep country near Crow Pass Trail
August 12, 2019 Comments Off on State forestry working to contain small wildfire in steep country near Crow Pass Trail
The Alaska Division of Forestry is currently working to contain a small wildfire that started on Sunday near the Crow Pass Trail east of Anchorage in Chugach State Park. The Crow Pass Fire (#713) was reported by passing aircraft at about 5 p.m. Sunday in the Eagle River drainage near Icicle Creek. The fire was […]
Continue reading State forestry responding to small wildfire east of Eagle River near Mount Baldy
August 12, 2019 Comments Off on State forestry responding to small wildfire east of Eagle River near Mount Baldy
UPDATE 4 p.m. An air tanker has successfully boxed in the Steeple Fire with a retardant drop and another tanker drop of a water-enhanced suppressant called BlazeTamer was dropped directly on the fire to knock down the flames. Both drops were effective in calming fire behavior. A helicopter is continuing to make water drops on […]
Continue readingPublic should be aware of potential hazards in Shovel Creek Fire area
August 11, 2019 Comments Off on Public should be aware of potential hazards in Shovel Creek Fire area
The Alaska Division of Forestry in Fairbanks has received multiple reports from the public about fire activity in the Shovel Creek Fire area northwest of Fairbanks in recent days. The state forestry office wants to remind the public that it remains an active fire and will continue to exhibit minimal fire activity even with all […]
Continue reading Swan Lake Fire responds to warm, dry weather with increased smoke
August 10, 2019 Comments Off on Swan Lake Fire responds to warm, dry weather with increased smoke
The Swan Lake Fire (#181) burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on the northern Kenai Peninsula has responded to the warm, dry weather of this past week with increased activity and smoke in the Mystery and Thurman Creek drainages on the northeast corner of the fire. Containment lines continue to hold but more smoke […]
Continue reading Hunters heading into the woods should be careful with fire
August 7, 2019 Comments Off on Hunters heading into the woods should be careful with fire
It’s hunting season and the Alaska Division of Forestry is reminding hunters heading out into the woods to use caution with any activity that could spark a wildfire. While rain has soaked many parts of Alaska in the past week to lower the wildfire danger, other parts of the state remain warm and dry with […]
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