Tag: Funny River Fire

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

ALASKA INTERAGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT5-23-14 - Funny River Fire Update
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

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 Map 5-23-14

Funny River Fire Update via Alaska Incident Management Team

ALASKA INTERAGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT5-21-14 Funny River Road Fire Update
TYPE 2 TEAM
Rob Allen, INCIDENT COMMANDER
FIRE INFORMATION
PHONE: (907) 351-2206
EMAIL: funnyriverfire@gmail.com
5-21-14 Funny River Road Fire Update – PDF
May 21, 2014

FUNNY RIVER FIRE UPDATE

Funny River Fire Grows to 20,000 acres

 The Funny River Fire is sending significant smoke into Soldotna and Kasilof today and as far as Anchorage and Homer. The fire, currently estimated at 20,000 acres, is burning within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Despite cooler temperatures and higher humidities overnight, the fire was active, with significant movement on the eastern flank of the fire.
Crews with the Alaska Division of Forestry and Central Emergency Services worked overnight to keep the blaze from crossing the Funny River Road at about Mile 7. Recent efforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reduce the buildup of beetle-killed spruce along the Funny River Road helped stop the advance of the fire.
The Alaska Type 2 Incident Management Team took over management of the fire this morning.  Fire managers are focusing efforts today on the northern flank to keep it from crossing the Funny River Road and on the western flank to keep it from reaching the Sterling Highway and the communities of Kasilof and Sterling. It remains at least three miles from the Sterling Highway.  Fire managers are also working to better map the fire and provide maps to the public.
Significant resources are being deployed on the fire, including air tankers, wildland firefighting crews and engine crews with experience fighting structural fires.  Heavy smoke is affecting visibility and efforts to fight the fire from the air.
An early spring with very little precipitation has left vegetation extremely dry on the Kenai Peninsula.  Residents and visitors are urged to use extreme caution with anything that could ignite a fire.
Air Quality Advisories are in effect for Southcentral Alaska.  Information about smoke is available from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation at http://dec.alaska.gov/air/am/smoke.htm
Central Emergency Services is urging residents who live near the fire to stay aware and be prepared.  Information is available at http://www.borough.kenai.ak.us/emergency-mgmt/fire
5-21-14 Funny River Road Fire Update – PDF