The Tustumena Lake Fire was caused by an unattended campfire, according to officials with the Division of Forestry. While the cause has been determined, the individual or individuals responsible have not yet been identified, although an investigation is ongoing.
Fire Management Officer Howie Kent said it was “very evident” that the escaped campfire was the cause. “Whether the individual knew that it had been put out or not, it clearly had not been, and there was enough heat in there that it caused the wildfire.”
If forest fire prevention is not incentive enough for folks to make sure that their campfires are fully extinguished, it should be noted that individuals determined to be responsible for a wildfire are held liable for the costs of fire suppression efforts.
Meanwhile, suppression of the Tustumena Lake wildfire continues with smoke jumpers, hotshot modules, and air support units engaged. According to Kent, the blaze is very near full containment, but “extensive mop up” work still remains. “Crews continue to secure the edge there. They’re thinking by the end of shift today, we’ll have, on the edge, 100% containment. And then from there it’s pretty extensive mop up, which means there’s a lot of heavy deadened down fuels, a lot of beetle killed trees that have tipped over there that have caught on fire. So, there’s going to be a lot of mop up, probably for the next 5 or 6 days.”
With Independence Day just around the corner, Kent advises the public to be exceedingly conscientious of their campfires and ensure they are fully extinguished before leaving. “When people are out recreating, it’s important that they stay in attendance number one because we’ve had a lot of fires that have escaped. As soon as somebody walks away is usually when that happens. And then before they leave and depart to head back to wherever they originated from to make sure that their fire is 100% out [and] cold to the touch before they leave.”
If anyone has information on the individual(s) responsible for the unattended campfire that caused the Tustumena Lake blaze, please contact the Division of Forestry at 907-260-4200 or call 9-1-1.
