Authorities responded to a fire spreading in grass and brush located on the upper third of a steep slope in a canyon near Homer on Wednesday evening. It’s called the Olia Court Fire and it was 15.50 acres in size. As of last report, the fire is no longer growing.
Crews from the Alaska Division of Forestry, Homer Volunteer Fire Department, and the Kachemak Emergency Services are battling the fire.
Howie Kent, Kenai’s DOF Fire Management Officer said:
“The fire is still holding at approximately 15 acres. Retardant lines are holding well. The fire is in steep country, and we are awaiting Pioneer Peak Hotshots sawyers and firefighters to cut and construct containment lines. Helicopters 3SH and 930 are still working the fire. Air tanker 52 was released back to Palmer. Air Attack is still over the fire and will be released shortly. Engine crews will overnight on the fire and the Fire Investigator just arrived on scene.”
Ground resources requested two helicopters, air attack and an air tanker to support suppression efforts. Once on scene, two helicopters performed bucket work. The air tanker surrounded the fire with retardant, executed a load and return from the Kenai Tanker Base and surrounded the fire with additional retardant. Bucket work continued for several hours after the tanker and air attack were released from the fire. Ground resources utilized pumps and portable water tanks to suppress the fire from the ground as there was one structure immediately threatened and multiple others in the vicinity.
The cause of the fire is unknown and with no reported lightning in the area it is suspected to be human caused. An investigation is underway with the Fire Investigator on scene. The fire was burning in grass and alder with leaf litter underneath.
NOTE: The burn permit suspension remains in place on the Kenai Peninsula due to prolonged and serious hot and dry conditions.
Due to recent wildfire activity and the forecasted hotter, drier weather in many parts of the state, the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center upgraded to Preparedness Level 2 on Wednesday.
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