All Communications – Page 63 – KPBSD Communications Field Notes

May 28 Funny River Fire Update, 183,294 acres with 30 percent containment

ALASKA INTERAGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT
TYPE 2 TEAM
Rob Allen, INCIDENT COMMANDER
FIRE INFORMATION
PHONE: (907) 714-2484
FACEBOOK: Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team
INCIWEB: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3878/
EMAIL: funnyriverfire@gmail.com
10:45 am May 28, 2014
PDF: 5-28-14 – Funny River Fire Update

FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE

183,294 acres with 30% containment

All remaining evacuation advisories have been lifted for areas near the fire.
Cooler, damper weather moderated fire activity on Tuesday which allowed firefighters to switch from defense to offence for the first time since the Funny River Fire started nine days ago. Crews reinforced the containment lines on the west side of the fire in the Kasilof and Sterling Highway areas, and in the Funny River Road area. Progress was made with containment line on the north side of Torpedo Lake on the north side of the Kenai River. Overall fire containment is now 30 percent, with 713 firefighters working to keep the fire away from populated areas.
The evacuation order along the Funny River Road was cancelled yesterday and most residents returned to their homes. All remaining evacuation advisories have been lifted. The Lower Skilak Lake Campground remains closed until further notice.
Five structures were confirmed as lost to the fire. The owners were notified by the Kenai Peninsula Borough. These structures include one outbuilding (the main structure was saved), and four recreation cabins with limited access.
A community meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Funny River Community Center to share information with affected residents and answer questions.
The fire received .04 inches of rain overnight. The weather forecast is calling for continued rain throughout the day and additional heavier precipitation later in the week. Several consecutive days of heavier rain are needed to alter the overall fire activity. Residents should not be surprised to see smoke from inside the perimeter of the fire into the summer.
The light rain over the last 36 hours has slightly moderated the extremely dry conditions on the Kenai Peninsula. Residents and visitors are urged to continue to use extreme caution with anything that could ignite a fire. Visitors and area residents are reminded that fire crews, air and ground equipment are working in the areas of the Sterling Highway and Funny River Road.
Daily advisories on smoke conditions are available from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation at http://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Air/airtoolsweb/Advisories.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Services has set up a call line to help homeowners with fire preparedness. Residents can call (907) 714-2495. Information is available at http://www.borough.kenai.ak.us/emergency-mgmt/fire

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ASAA – Skyview students to determine school of eligibility for sports

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888
News Release

Soldotna reconfiguration requires former Skyview students to determine school of eligibility for sports

Soldotna, May 14, 2014— Current 2013-2014 Skyview High School students must establish a new school of eligibility for interscholastic activities. One of two actions will determine the Alaska Schools Activity Association (ASAA) school of eligibility. In addition, ninth grade students who will attend Soldotna Prep (2014-2015) are only eligible to participate in ASAA activities as Soldotna High School students.
The ASAA has provided a one-time waiver from the “Transfer/Residency Rule” for Skyview students enrolled in 2013-2014, the final year of Skyview High School.
Students enrolled at Skyview High School (2013-2014) have the option of enrolling at any high school, and establishing a new school of eligibility of ASAA sports.
Students who were enrolled at Skyview High School at the conclusion of the 2013-2014 school year must establish a new school of eligibility in 2014-2015.
The school of eligibility is determined by one of these two actions, whichever occurs first:

Fifteen (15) days of enrollment at any area high school establishes ASAA school of eligibility
Attending the first day of practice, tryout, or interscholastic activity at any high school establishes ASAA school of eligibility at that school

Once a new school of eligibility is determined (by one of these two actions), if a student wants to transfer to a different school they are subject to the existing ASAA transfer rule. This means no participation in any ASAA school activity for ninety (90) school days.
Note:

Students who attend Soldotna High School have already established Soldotna High School as their school of eligibility. (If a current Soldotna High School student wanted to transfer to a different school for ASAA eligibility, the “Transfer/Eligibility” rule applies, which requires no participation in ASAA activities for ninety (90) days.)

Ninth grade students attending Soldotna Prep will only be eligible to participate in ASAA activities as Soldotna High School students.

The special ASAA waiver only applies to students who attended Skyview High School in the 2013-2014 school year, and was approved due to the Soldotna schools reconfiguration.

“I am pleased that the ASAA Board put the best interests of students first in this unanimous vote,” said John O’Brien, director of secondary education and student activities. “Skyview’s students have been affected the most by the reconfiguration of Soldotna’s two high schools. They may now select a new school of eligibility without being subject to the ASAA transfer rules. It would have been unfair for Skyview’s students to be ineligible and have to sit out of interscholastic activities for 90 school days. Now these students can establish a new school of eligibility and continue on with interscholastic opportunities. I would like to personally thank Gary Matthews, ASAA executive director and the entire ASAA Board for working with KPBSD to best meet the needs of our Skyview students on this matter.”
Questions
If you have questions or concerns, contact John O’Brien, Director of Secondary Education and Student Activities, 907.714.8884, or email jobrien@kpbsd.org.
Links
information on KPBSD website: http://bit.ly/ASAAandSkyviewSportsEligibility
Alaska Schools Activity Association (ASAA)
Kenai Peninsula Student Activities Association (KPSAA)
PDF: KPBSD 2014_05_14_Soldotna high school reconfiguration and ASAA sports eligibility

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May 27 FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE 182,009 acres with 30 percent containment

ALASKA INTERAGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT
TYPE 2 TEAM
Rob Allen, INCIDENT COMMANDER
FIRE INFORMATION
PHONE: (907) 714-2484
FACEBOOK: Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team
INCIWEB: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3878/
EMAIL: funnyriverfire@gmail.com
9:30 am May 27, 2014
PDF: 5-27-14 – Funny River Fire Update

FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE
182,009 acres with 30% containment

Firefighters made excellent progress yesterday extending containment lines on the west side of the fire in the Kasilof and Sterling Highway areas. Crews also completed burnout operations along the northern perimeter (south of Funny River road) late in the day helping to secure areas that had burned over containment lines on Sunday. The fire grew to over 182,000 acres as winds continued to push the fire perimeter northeast towards the Skilak Lake Road and further east into the wildlife refuge area. Overall fire containment is now 30 percent.
The evacuation order along the Funny River road has been cancelled. Residents are allowed to return to their homes. This area remains under an evacuation advisory. The evacuation advisory along the Sterling Highway was also lifted. The Kenai Keys area remains under an evacuation advisory. The Lower Skilak Lake Campground remains closed until further notice.
Community meetings are scheduled tonight for folks to learn more about current fire suppression activities. Meetings will be at Tustumena School at 6 p.m. and at Soldotna High School at 8 p.m.
The fire received .03 -.06 inches of rain overnight. The weather forecast is calling for continued rain throughout the day and additional precipitation until the end of the week. The cooler and wetter weather will help slow fire activity and assist firefighters in efforts to contain the fire. Several consecutive days of appreciable moisture are needed to alter the overall fire activity.
Vegetation remains extremely dry on the Kenai Peninsula. Residents and visitors are urged to use extreme caution with anything that could ignite a fire. Visitors to the area and residents are reminded that fire crews, air and ground equipment are working in close proximity to the Sterling Highway and Funny River Road.
Information about current smoke conditions is available from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation at http://dec.alaska.gov/air/am/smoke.htm
Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Services has set up a call line to help homeowners with fire preparedness. Residents can call (907) 714-2495. Information is available at http://www.borough.kenai.ak.us/emergency-mgmt/fire

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This image is from NASA Earth Observatory

“Driven by strong winds, the Funny River Fire burned more than 182,000 acres in south-central Alaska by the morning of May 27, 2014. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terrasatellite acquired this image at 1:45 p.m. on May 26. Active fire areas are outlined in red. The fire is burning in a hardwood and spruce forest and grass that is dry from an early, warm spring. It is producing significant amounts of smoke that is affecting air quality across the Kenai Peninsula.”

Six HOW-TO TIPS: Create a Defensible Space for Your Home

Six HOW-TO TIPS: **Create a Defensible Space for Your Home**

Defensible space

Your Firewise home has a better chance of surviving a wildland fire.

Download one page PDF: Create Defensible Space Tip Sheet

Inspect the perimeter of all structures

Remove or mow vegetation and combustible materials from perimeters and under decks. Screen windows and openings. Remove Liquid Propane (LP) tanks from outdoor grills.

Treat vegetation between 30 to 100 feet from your home (increase distances downslope)

Thin needle-bearing trees to 15 feet between extending branches.
Prune tree branches up 6-8 feet from the ground.
Remove shrubs and mow grass under trees.
Remove dead vegetation.

Locate fuels and label fuel tanks, clear vegetation within a 10-foot perimeter of fuel storage. Relocate mobile tanks such as gasoline and LP to a safe zone if possible.

Wood piles should be at least 30 feet from any structure and have a clear 10-foot perimeter.
Junk piles are fire hazards. Move discarded items outside of the home’s 30 foot perimeter.

Wet vulnerable surfaces & make your water supply accessible

When you learn of an approaching fire, use your regular hose system to wet down the roof, decks and yard.
Have an alternative water supply available that does not require electricity. Water barrels that can be accessed by fire crews can be an asset for fire protection.

Provide Fast Access to Your Home

Maintain a 12-foot wide driveway with a turnaround.
Clear vegetation back away from driveway edges.
Maintain a 14 foot vertical clearance for the length of your driveway.
Clearly Identify Your Home; post your address number on your home.
Community road signs should be maintained to support emergency response; Post street and road names in your area.

Have a Safety Plan

Have a Home fire safety and an escape plan to help ensure your family’s safe exit in the event of a house fire.
Test fire alarms, Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Fire Extinguishers for proper function.
Stay alert and informed.

Find these tips and more at: http://forestry.alaska.gov/pdfs/firewise09.pdf

or http://www.firewise.net/

Download the one page PDF for a checklist: Defensible space Info Thank you to the Kenai Peninsula Borough for providing these helpful tips.

FUNNY RIVER FIRE May 26 UPDATE 158,585 acres with 30 percent containment

ALASKA INTERAGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT
TYPE 2 TEAM
Rob Allen, INCIDENT COMMANDER
FIRE INFORMATION
PHONE: (907) 714-2484
FACEBOOK: Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team
INCIWEB: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3878/
EMAIL: funnyriverfire@gmail.com
9:30 am May 26, 2014
PDF: 5-26-14 – Funny River Fire Update

FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE
158,585 acres with 30% containment

The Funny River Fire crossed the Kenai River Sunday afternoon near Torpedo Lake just east of the Kenai Keys. Several spot fires within the Keys did minor damage but were quickly put out. The fire management team is working to confirm if any structures have been lost. This wind driven fire is continuing to spread northeast towards the Skilak Lake Road. The Lower Skilak Lake Campground was evacuated and is closed until further notice. The Kenai Keys area is under an evacuation advisory.
The increased fire activity along the northern edge of the fire triggered an evacuation order Sunday afternoon for residents living along Funny River Road between Mile Point 7 and the east end of the road. An orderly evacuation took place, with Alaska State Troopers and other officials going door to door to confirm residents received the reverse 911 notification and had left their homes.
About 250 of the fire’s 600 firefighters are working along the northern end to further secure and extend fireline.
Firefighters made excellent progress extending containment lines on the west side of the fire in the Kasilof and Sterling Highway areas. The fire activity on the west side of the fire was minimal and the fire is now 30 percent contained.
The weather forecast is calling for rain early Tuesday. Cooler and wet weather will help slow fire activity.
Vegetation remains extremely dry on the Kenai Peninsula. Residents and visitors are urged to use extreme caution with anything that could ignite a fire. Weekend visitors to the area and residents are reminded that fire crews, air and ground equipment are working in close proximity to the Sterling Highway and Funny River Road.
Information about current smoke conditions is available from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation at http://dec.alaska.gov/air/am/smoke.htm
Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Services has set up a call line to help homeowners with fire preparedness. Residents can call (907) 714-2495. Information is available at http://www.borough.kenai.ak.us/emergency-mgmt/fire
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5-25-14 UPDATE 8:50 PM: Funny River Road Evacuations and Shelter Information

EVACUATION INFORMATION: 8:45 PM, 5-25-14

“The Kenai Peninsula Borough has personnel at the Soldotna Sports Complex now. It is important for Funny River Road residents to check in there, and give them your name so our responders and firefighters know you are no longer up the road and potentially in harm’s way (even if you don’t plan to stay at the shelter). According to people I spoke with in the marshaling area, shelter is available at the Soldotna Sports Center if you don’t have family or friends able to accommodate you and your family.” – Governor Sean Parnell, Facebook post, 5.25.14

EVACUATION ORDERS and ADVISORIES, 8:45 PM, May 25, 2014
GO NOW:
Funny River Community: Road closed, evacuation order (go now)
EVACUATION “GO NOW” IN PROGRESS:
Lower Skilak Lake Campground: evacuation in progress
EVACUATION READINESS (GET READY)
Kenai Keys to Feuding Road: evacuation readiness (get ready)
Kasilof: Sterling Hwy 103 to the Kasilof River on the east side evacuation readiness (get ready)
EVACUATING?

Go to the Sports Center to check in,and give them your name so our responders and firefighters know you are no longer up the road and potentially in harm’s way (even if you don’t plan to stay at the shelter). Only State Troopers can access Funny River Road at this time.
The Red Cross has opened a temporary shelter at Redoubt Elementary School, 486 West Redoubt, Soldotna, Alaska 99669. PLEASE CHECK IN AT THE SPORTS CENTER before going to Redoubt Elementary.. See # 1.

Be prepared; bring the following items to the shelter:
• Prescriptions and emergency medications
• Foods that meet unusual dietary requirements
• Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies and other comfort items
• Supplies needed for children and infants, such as diapers, formula and toys Special items for family members who are elderly or disabled
• Contact your relatives to let them know where you are and how you are doing
Visit www.redcross.org/ak/anchorage for more information.
Questions? Call:
Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team: (907) 714-2484
Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Services 24 hour hotline: (907) 714-2495
FACEBOOK:
Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team
Central Emergency Services
Alaska DNR – Division of Forestry
NOTE:
Information about current smoke conditions is available from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation at http://dec.alaska.gov/air/am/smoke.htm
Thank you to the State Troopers, and everyone who is assisting in evacuations.
PLEASE DO NOT GO INTO THESE AREAS unless you are directly involved. Do not hinder evacuation process.
Be safe, and watch out for your neighbors.

FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE 123,649 acres with 20 percent containment

ALASKA INTERAGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT
TYPE 2 TEAM
Rob Allen, INCIDENT COMMANDER
FIRE INFORMATION
PHONE: (907) 714-2484
FACEBOOK: Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team
INCIWEB: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3878/
EMAIL: funnyriverfire@gmail.com
9:30 am May 25, 2014
PDF: 5-25-14 – Funny River Fire Update

FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE
123,649 acres with 20% containment

On Saturday strong southwesterly winds associated with Red Flag Warning weather conditions tested containment lines and pushed the fire’s size to 123,649 acres by 11:30 PM. The lines held and firefighters successfully halted the fire’s northward progress at a fuel break by Brownes Lake, which is south of Sterling and the Funny River Road. Firefighters will continue building and securing fire lines along the fire’s northern edge. Two Air National Guard Black Hawk helicopters arrived and are assisting firefighters with water drops.
On the fire’s western edge near Kasilof, firefighters kept the fire from crossing the Intertie powerline that parallels the Sterling Highway. Crews will continue working on extending containment lines on the fire’s west side. Structure protection crews with fire engines are active in areas potentially affected by the fire. No structures have been lost and the fire has not crossed the Kasilof River.
A successful burnout operation took place to protect the remote Bear Creek Subdivision on the shore of Tustumena Lake. Two other burnout operations took place on Saturday and successfully held the fire.
Governor Sean Parnell, State Forester Chris Maisch, and Fire Program Manager Tom Kurth will be touring the fire Sunday. The Governor is scheduled to attend the 1:30 PM media briefing at Skyview High School in Soldotna.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Community Emergency Services expanded the Evacuation Watch for the Pollard Loop Subdivision area to include the east side of the Sterling Highway to Funny River Road, and the south side of Funny River Road. This advisory encourages residents to prepare in case they may need to leave their homes.
Vegetation remains extremely dry on the Kenai Peninsula. Residents and visitors are urged to use extreme caution with anything that could ignite a fire. Weekend visitors to the area and residents are reminded that fire crews, air and ground equipment are working in close proximity to the Sterling Highway and Funny River Road.
Information about current smoke conditions is available from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation at http://dec.alaska.gov/air/am/smoke.htm

Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Services has set up a call line to help homeowners with fire preparedness. Residents can call (907) 714-2495. Information is available at http://www.borough.kenai.ak.us/emergency-mgmt/fire

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EVACUATION ALERT ADVISORY: RED FLAG WARNING

ALASKA INTERAGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT
TYPE 2 TEAM
Rob Allen, INCIDENT COMMANDER
FIRE INFORMATION
PHONE: (907) 714-2484
FACEBOOK: Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team
INCIWEB: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3878/
EMAIL: funnyriverfire@gmail.com
1:38 am May 24, 2014
PDF: 5-24-14 – Funny River Fire Evac

EVACUATION ALERT ADVISORY: RED FLAG WARNING

AN EVACUATION ADVISORY WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH FOR FUNNY RIVER ROAD RESIDENTS AND KASILOF RESIDENTS NORTH OF THE KASILOF RIVER AND EAST OF THE STERLING HIGHWAY.

AN ADVISORY IS NOT AN EVACUATION ORDER. IT IS A REQUEST TO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR A POTENTIAL EVACUATION DUE TO FIRE CONDITIONS AS RED FLAG WEATHER CONDITIONS WITH HIGH WINDS AND DRY FOREST FUELS ARE PREDICTED FOR LATER THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.
RESIDENTS MAY SEE FIRE CREWS AND APPARATUS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS CONDUCTING FIRE PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT :
Fire Information: 714-2484
Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Services has set up a call line to help homeowners with fire preparedness. Residents can call (907) 714-2495. Information is available at http://www.borough.kenai.ak.us/emergency-mgmt/fire

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FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE 96,584 acres with 20 percent containment

ALASKA INTERAGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT
TYPE 2 TEAM
Rob Allen, INCIDENT COMMANDER
FIRE INFORMATION
PHONE: (907) 714-2484
FACEBOOK: Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team
INCIWEB: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3878/
EMAIL: funnyriverfire@gmail.com
5-24-14 – Funny River Fire Update in PDF
9:30 am May 24, 2014

FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE

96,584 acres with 20% containment

Yesterday firefighters made further progress constructing fire containment lines along the north and northwest sides of the Funny River Fire and containment is now at 20 percent. At 5 PM the fire was 96,584 acres, but enlarged significantly overnight. 409 personnel are assigned to the fire. Aerial resources supporting the fire suppression effort include five helicopters and four CL215 water scooping air tankers from Canada.
The fire continues to actively burn in black spruce and mixed hardwoods due to the continued warm and extremely dry conditions on the Kenai Peninsula. On the east side of the fire westerly winds drove the fire over five miles during an eight hour period; this growth was away from existing communities. Fire growth to the west towards the Sterling Highway during the day was slow, with the fire backing into the southwest winds.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Community Emergency Services issued an Evacuation Watch for the Pollard Loop Subdivision area in order for residents to prepare in case they may need to leave for safety reasons.
Friday evening the fire’s west flank became extremely active following a wind shift, with highly visible 50 foot flames stretching for several miles as the fire burned on the higher ground. This fire activity was visible from the Sterling Highway. As a cautionary measure, late Friday evening the Community Emergency Services conducted an orderly evacuation of residents living in about 50 homes located between Milepoint 103 and 105 of the Sterling Highway. The evacuation was completed within an hour, with Alaska State Troopers, Emergency Services, and firefighters going door to door to notify all residents. Fire activity decreased by midnight as the fire reached an extensive boggy area and the winds subsided. Emergency officials then lifted the evacuation order about 1 AM.
Firefighting crews continue to protect the Funny River community to the north and the Bear Creek Subdivision to the southeast of the fire. Structure protection crews are active in other areas potentially affected by the fire.
Vegetation remains extremely dry on the Kenai Peninsula. Residents and visitors are urged to use extreme caution with anything that could ignite a fire. Weekend visitors to the area and residents are reminded that fire crews, air and ground equipment are working in close proximity to the Sterling Highway and Funny River Road. Do not block roads to view the fire. Pull off only in safe designated pullouts.
Information about current smoke conditions is available from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation at http://dec.alaska.gov/air/am/smoke.htm
Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Services has set up a call line to help homeowners with fire preparedness. Residents can call (907) 714-2495. Information is available at http://www.borough.kenai.ak.us/emergency-mgmt/fire

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Funny River Fire update: 67,084 acres with 15 percent containment. Red Flag Warning in effect.

ALASKA INTERAGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT
TYPE 2 TEAM
Rob Allen, INCIDENT COMMANDER
FIRE INFORMATION
PHONE: (907) 714-2484
INCIWEB: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3878/
EMAIL: funnyriverfire@gmail.com

10:30am May 23, 2014

PDF: 5-23-14 – Funny River Fire Update

FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE
67,084 acres with 15% containment. Red Flag Warning in effect.

The fire is 67,084 acres and is still contained within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Good progress was made yesterday with 15% containment achieved with secure line on the north east flank of the fire. There are 374 personnel assigned to fire.

Over 400 people attended public meetings in Kasilof and Funny River last night with the meetings simulcast on a local radio station. Local residents expressed concerns about campfires being allowed in the area over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend with the very dry forest and red flag weather conditions. As of 4pm, May 22, 2014, the fire was 3.5 miles from the Kasilof River, 3 miles east of the Pollard Subdivision, and 3.5 miles from the Cardwell area and less than 2 miles from the Bear Creek Subdivision on Tustumena Lake. The fire perimeter reaches Funny River Road at mile 7.5 to the north and the shores of Tustumena Lake to the south. During last night’s operation, structural fire crews from around the state protected Funny River road. Smoke jumpers were dispatched to the water accessible only Bear Creek subdivision as the fire moved within 2 miles of the subdivision. Today, on the east flank, helicopters with water buckets are assisting crews to protect the Funny River community to the north. The presence of a vegetative fuel break along the northeast boundary of the Refuge has assisted fire crews in protecting the community of Funny River. To the south, an additional fire crew from Oregon is assisting the smokejumpers at Bear Creek subdivision in structure protection activities. On the west flank, crews are working to extend the containment line down to Cole Lake. Four water scooping aircraft (CL215s) are operating to protect the community of Kasilof. These aircraft are scooping water from Tustumena and Skilak Lakes.

An increase in fire activity is expected this afternoon with southwest winds 6 to 12 MPH gusting to 20 MPH. Vegetation remains extremely dry on the Kenai Peninsula. Residents and visitors are urged to use extreme caution with anything that could ignite a fire. Weekend visitors to the area and residents are reminded that fire crews, air and ground equipment are working in close proximity to the Sterling Highway and Funny River Road. Do not block roads to view the fire. Pull off only in safe designated pullouts.

Information about current smoke conditions is available from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation at http://dec.alaska.gov/air/am/smoke.htm

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FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE

Soldotna reconfiguration requires former Skyview students to determine school of eligibility for sports

Six HOW-TO TIPS: Create a Defensible Space for Your Home

Defensible space

Your Firewise home has a better chance of surviving a wildland fire.

FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE 158,585 acres with 30% containment

Six HOW-TO TIPS: **Create a Defensible Space for Your Home**

FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE
158,585 acres with 30% containment