The Bruce’s Avenue Fire, which broke out on July 4th afternoon near Milepost 102 South of Soldotna on the Sterling Highway, was caused by an escaped debris burn. It originated on private land.
The Kenai-Kodiak Area office of the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection served as the lead protection agency.
Howard Kent, the area’s Fire Management Officer, said they were fortunate enough to catch the fire under 8 acres. “We were able to get on it quickly and had aviation resources available to help us catch that fire.”
The fire, estimated at 10 acres earlier in the day, had been burning actively on both flanks, prompting deployment of one air tanker and one helicopter, with additional air support initially en route.
Kent says the wind wasn’t strong, with wind speeds of 3 to 5mph out of the West at the time of the fire, but the area where it started had heavy, thick fuels such as black spruce, white spruce, and beetle-killed trees.
“It was single and group tree torching right from the get-go. It was starting to get up in the crowns of the trees and made it a little bit of a run there.” Said Kent.
The fire wasn’t conducted when a burn suspension was in place. The individuals had conducted the burn when it was permissible to burn debris.
“Unfortunately, they failed to comply with their permit and ensure that their fire was completely out. We’ve talked about that many times with folks and the importance of that. It’s the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure that their fire is 100% out before walking away from it.” Said Kent.
He mentioned they track the large-scale burn permits they issue. However, for the small-scale burn permits, which are 10 feet in diameter or less of debris burn piles, the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection doesn’t have every one of those on a map. “Anybody can pick up a small-scale burn permit at their local fire station, at the post office, and online at our office. There’s no way to possibly track where all those permits are going.”
The nearest structure was within 400 yards of the fire, and fortunately, it moved in a direction away from nearby structures.
The Bruce’s Avenue fire prompted a swift and coordinated response from multiple agencies, including Central Emergency Services, which corresponded with the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.
According to CES Chief Roy Browning, about 25 firefighters worked the ground response during the height of the incident.
“Right now, we’re sitting at high fire danger. The northern half of the peninsula is still dry. We’re in our fine fuel moistures.” Said Kent.