Containment on the 102-acre Loon Lake Fire burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge increased to 30 percent Tuesday as crews nearly completed cutting a fire break around fire and laying hose around the perimeter to provide a water source for crews to extinguish any hot spots found. Crews anticipate 50% containment by the end of shift today.
IC3 trainee Torrey Short:
The objective for crews and fire managers is to mop up the fire 100 feet inside the perimeter to lessen chances that it may cross control lines. Operations Chiefs Zach Fleming and trainee Kevin Menkens are embedded with the crews and are also camping on the fireline.
The Midnight Sun Hotshots were reassigned to their home unit in Fairbanks to assist with fires burning in the Interior. There currently are 61 people assigned to the Loon Lake Fire with 30% containment at an estimated 102 acres. A line-qualified Alaska Fire Medic is staged at the helibase in Sterling with a full complement of both basic and advanced life support to support crews for any medical issues. The highest priority on this fire is to ensure that every firefighter returns safely to camp at the end of shift, and leaves this assignment healthy and ready for the next wildfire.
Residents along the Kenai Peninsula are reminded that is a burn suspension in effect on the Kenai Peninsula. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in place with a three mile “no fly” area from the center of the fire. For details about the TFR, go to https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_1_2229.html.
06/16 6:00 AM UPDATE: Crews battling the Loon Lake Fire increased containment to 30% as crews worked through the day Tuesday to complete 90% of the saw line and hose lay. In addition, there was no fire growth outside of the perimeter. Estimated acreage remains at 102 with 61 personnel assigned to the fire. The Midnight Suns Hotshots departed Tuesday evening and are heading north to lend a hand on the fires burning around Fairbanks and Manley. The Midnight Suns drove down to the Kenai Peninsula from Fairbanks on Sunday and Monday and were flown into the fire late Monday afternoon and spent a few hours on the fireline before being ordered back to Fairbanks.
Interior pockets of dense black spruce torched in small groups Tuesday afternoon, which were expected by crews with high forecasted temperatures for the third straight day. A medium helicopter assisted crews with bucket drops to prevent spotting.
Located approximately 10 miles northeast of the community of Sterling and the Sterling Highway, the fire is burning in remote wilderness within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, approximately 4 miles west of where the 2019 Swan Lake fire was started by lightning. The Loon Lake Fire does not currently pose any threat to the community of Sterling or any other values at risk.
Mop-up operations have already begun, with the Moose River and the nearby lakes providing fire crews and aviation assets with a close water source for hose lays and helicopter bucket drops. Two primary concerns for firefighters are working safely amongst hazard and fire weakened trees that could topple over and unanticipated bear encounters in the remote area.
ALSO – A burn suspension is in effect for the Kenai Peninsula and there is a 3-mile Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area to prevent aircraft and drones from interfering with crew and supply shuttles, recon and bucket work.
