6:00 p.m. Update:
The Tustumena Lake Fire coverage estimate has been reduced from 55 acres to 35 acres. The change is largely due to the fire staff’s ability to safely assess the impacted area today. Fire operations are ongoing to meet full suppression efforts. Tactics include delivering supplies by helicopter sling loads into the area, creating saw line, and establishing hose lay to meet containment objectives.
Two fire suppression modules are fighting in the area and Fire Management Officer Howie Kent says they hope to have a hose lay around the fire tonight. “One [module] is a ten-person suppression module, and the other one is a four-person suppression module. Those guys are currently working on putting in saw line around the perimeter of the fire, and we’re hoping to have a Hoseley completely around the fire by end of shift tonight.”
Fire management officers have determined the Slackwater boat launch and Tustumena Campgrounds will remain closed until further notice due to ongoing fire operations.
Original Story:
The Tustumena Lake Fire, which began sometime earlier this weekend, has now expanded to engulf approximately 55 acres of forest between Tustumena Lake and the Sterling Highway.
The response to the blaze has been swift, and more crews are still incoming. According to the Alaska Wildland Fire information page, “12 smokejumpers were deployed to the fire joining Kenai Area DOF firefighters, two scoopers and two helicopters dropping water. The retardant tanker was able to drop one load before being diverted to the Montana Creek Fire (#312) because it was threatening homes.”
Management Officer Howie Kent added that an additional 20+ man crew of hotshots was also on order.
The Tustumena Lake campground and Slackwater boat launch remain closed for suppression operations. Folks are asked to stay clear of the Centennial Lake area for fire personnel and resources. Anyone in the area or on the roads is also asked to follow instructions from emergency personnel and yield to emergency vehicles.
At this time the cause of the fire is still unknown, although Kent said there had been lightning strikes in the area, so it was possible the fire could have been a “holdover” from lightning strikes aided by the warm, dry temperatures on Saturday.
Follow this developing story at radiokenai.com for updates as fire suppression efforts continue.
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