The National Weather Service has, since, upgraded its expected weather forecast for this holiday weekend. Previously, they announced a Fire Weather Watch, which has now been upgraded to a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 12:00 p.m. noon to 10:00 p.m. Friday for hot, dry, and windy conditions for the Western Kenai Peninsula.
The National Weather Service in Anchorage tells KSRM that the Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect:
“Yeah, we’ve got this high-pressure ridge building across the area through the weekend. It’s going to be warming up through Friday and Saturday. With the warmer temperatures getting up into the low to mid 70s for Friday and it’s been pretty dry out there and our relative humidities will be dropping pretty low through the afternoon and a little bit of wind will kick up tomorrow afternoon out of the north, probably about 10-15 mph, maybe occasional gusts up to 20, but that looks like it’ll give you just enough conditions to give us Red Flags. Fire burning is probably going to be a very unsafe activity to do this weekend.”
Rapid ignition, growth, and spread of fires will be possible under a Red Flag Warning. Additionally, the Alaska Division of Forestry tells residents to avoid burning, be careful around open flames, safely dispose of cigarettes.
Kenai Fire Management Officer Howie Kent reminds residents that a Burn Suspension is still in place for the Kenai Peninsula:
“The burn suspension covers things like debris burning, any sort of debris burning, pile burning, anybody with a burn barrel, and then also any kind of lawn burning, which would be short grass. We don’t allow any long grass to be burned, even if its matted down because it just takes hold and that fuel type so fast, it could move so quickly.”
Kent says that small campfires are still allowed and must be attended until completely out.
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are imminent or occurring now, or will shortly. It is directed toward fire agencies, and through them to the public. There’s also the outside chance, according to NWS that Red Flag Warnings could be issued for Saturday as well.
