The Department of Transportation is advising travelers to extended delays on the Sterling highway from MP 67 to MP 75.5 throughout Thursday, due to heavy smoke from the Swan Lake Fire.
Travelers are advised to 2-lane traffic with a speed reduction to (35 mph), extended delays, poor air quality and emergency vehicle on the roadway. Please use extreme caution when traveling through the Sterling Highway corridor from MP 67 to MP 75.5.
DOT is advising travelers to please bring extra food and water. Observe all signage in the area and be aware of construction and fire crews in the area.
The National Weather Service has issued a Dense Smoke Advisory for until 6pm, Wednesday, for areas across the Kenai Peninsula.
For the Interior Kenai Peninsula, including the Sterling Highway corridor east of Soldotna and southeastward across the interior Kenai Peninsula, including in the vicinity of the Seward Highway and Sterling Highway junction, Dense smoke from the Swan Lake fire has drifted southward over the Sterling Highway corridor from just east of Soldotna all the way to Cooper Landing. This is producing visibilities of near zero. There may be some improvement in visibility during the afternoon and evening hours, but winds for the next couple days will continue to transport smoke over this same area. The advisory reamins in effect through Thursday afternoon, though there is potential for dense smoke to persist all the way through the weekend.
All motorists are encouraged to drive slowly and cautiously with headlights on.
Motorists are advised to allow plenty of extra time to reach destinations and to be on alert to give the right of way to emergency response vehicles. Skilak Lake Road is a narrow gravel road and should not be considered as an option for recreation vehicles, fifth-wheel trailers and semi tractors with trailers.
Updates will be provided as conditions change, they may change with short notice to ensure safe travel for the public and responders.
