A high pressure system is returning to Alaska, bringing warmer temperatures back to fire areas and an increase in fire activity. Fuels in Alaska especially dry in the Upper Yukon Valley where numerous fires are burning, with heavy smoke being… Read More ›
Kenai Peninsula
Smoke Outlook for 7/20 – 7/21: Weather moderating in many areas, diminished levels of smoke anticipated
Temperature is moderating in many areas of Alaska including the Upper Yukon Zone. Wind gusts up to 30 mph in the Upper Yukon Zone is expected for today and will have an impact to fire activity. Smoke is forecasted to… Read More ›
Smoke Outlook for 7/19 – 7/20: Fire weather generally moderate; Upper Yukon still extreme
Cooler weather and rainfall have decreased fire activity in some Alaskan communities, while dry and warmer temperatures continue to promote fire activity elsewhere across the state. There are currently 215 fires burning across Alaska, producing varying amounts of smoke that… Read More ›
Smoke Outlook for 7/16 – 7/17: Increased temperatures will increase smoke conditions
Temperatures are forecasted to increase once again in the southern portion of the state including the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, and the Mat-Su valley. An increase in heat translates into lower relative humidity and more fire activity, which of course produces… Read More ›
Current fire and fireworks restrictions to help you have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July
Campfire restrictions Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Kenai Fjords National Park, Kenai Peninsula State Parks, and Chugach National Forest lands on the Kenai Peninsula Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Open campfires are restricted to designated campgrounds or cabins within enclosed… Read More ›
Reconnaissance Flight Confirms Work on Swan Lake Fire
As expected, the cloudy day yesterday allowed firefighters on the 12,782-acre Swan Lake Fire to make good progress. The southwestern firelines nearest the community of Sterling were further strengthened and widened as crews strategically tied work with the existing pipeline… Read More ›
Cooler, wetter conditions produce minimal growth on Swan Lake Fire
Firefighters benefitted from cooler, wetter weather on Saturday where the Swan Lake Fire is burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The moderating weather resulted in minimal fire growth, with the latest size estimate of 12,782 acres, an increase of… Read More ›
Swan Lake Fire on Kenai Peninsula now estimated at 3,500 acres
With another warm, dry day on the Kenai Peninsula, the Swan Lake Fire (#181) burning north of the Sterling Highway continued to grow. The lightning-caused fire was estimated at 3,500 acres after a reconnaissance flight Tuesday evening, an increase of… Read More ›
Lightning ignites multiple wildfires on Kenai Peninsula
More than 50 wildland firefighters are responding to a 121-acre wildfire on the Kenai Peninsula, one of several wildfires on the Peninsula started by lightning associated with afternoon thunderstorms Wednesday. The Tustumena Lake Fire (#179) is located in the Caribou… Read More ›
Rash of human-caused fires ushers in Alaska wildfire season; burn suspensions issued, caution advised
Wildfire season arrived in earnest over the weekend with a spate of human-caused wildfires in Southcentral Alaska. The Alaska Division of Forestry responded to 13 fire reports on Saturday and Sunday, all but two of which were located on the… Read More ›