Additional campgrounds on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge have been reopened Thursday, due to reduced fire danger and winding down of fire operations on the Swan Lake Fire.
The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge has re-opened several recreational facilities previously closed due to the Swan Lake Fire.
Andy Loranger, Refuge Manager: “The newly open recreational facilities are the Vista Trail, Doroshin Bay Cabin which is on Skilak Lake, Hidden Lake itself and Hidden Lake Campground and the East Fork Moose River; which includes Watson and Afonasi Lakes.”
The designated closure area originally established around the fire is also being reduced to the Swan Lake Fire perimeter as shown on the September 30, 2019 Swan Lake Public Information Map. All lands burned by the fire within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge remain closed. Hazards within the burn include fire-weakened standing trees that may fall without warning and deep ash pits holding residual heat capable of causing severe burns.
According to Loranger, sawyers are continuing to work throughout refuge on hazard trees to allow further openings of public use cabins in the refuge.
Although areas will continue to open over the next few months, several trails will remain closed throughout the winter.
Andy Loranger, Refuge Manager: “As an example, The Kenai River trail, along Skilak Lake Road on the eastern side, that has been so heavily impacted is just going to take time to get that trail reopened and certainly won’t be ready to open this fall. Skyline Trail is another trail that has been severely impacted by the fire, again that’s out unto 2020.”
Below is complete list of Refuge recreational facilities now open and remaining closed as of October 3rd, 2019;
Facilities Currently Closed Due to the Swan Lake Fire
Campgrounds
Upper Skilak Campground
Lower Skilak Campground
Petersen Lake Campground
Kelly Lake Campground
Jean Lake Campground
Lower Ohmer Lake Campground
Engineer Lake Campground
Trails
Kenai River Trail
Hideout Trail
Seven Lakes Trail
Marsh Lake Trail
Skyline Trail
Fuller Lakes Trail
Surprise Creek Trail
Cabins
Kelly Lake Cabin
Engineer Lake Cabin
Big Indian Cabin
Trapper Joe Cabin
Rivers and Lakes
Engineer Lake
Kelly Lake
Petersen Lake
Roads
Mystery Creek Road
Facilities Currently Open Adjacent to the Swan Lake Fire Area
Campgrounds
Watson Lake Campground
Hidden Lake Campground
Trails
Hidden Creek Trail
Skilak Lookout Trail
Bear Mountain Trail
Vista Trail
Cabins
Upper Ohmer Cabin
Doroshin Bay Cabin
Rivers and Lakes
Hidden Lake
Watson Lake
Kenai River
East Fork Moose River
Roads
Skilak Lake Road
Upper Skilak Road
Lower Skilak Road
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / National Wildlife Refuge-Kenai
