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Smoke from wildfires was markedly thicker in the Sterling and Soldotna areas Wednesday morning and, though more than 60 fires are burning in Alaska, the most likely source of central Kenai Peninsula foul air is the Shantatalik Creek fire north of Tustumena Lake.

"Winds are light and we really think this is from Shanta Creek," said Sharon Roesch, Alaska Division of Forestry fire prevention officer, on Wednesday.

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge officials are allowing the fire to continue burning as long as weather conditions remain the same, according to Deputy Refuge Manager Doug Staller. He said the fire is burning in a limited fire suppression area, and is being monitored by refuge officials.

The fire, which was ignited by lightning June 29, has burned between 3,000 and 4,000 acres of mostly beetle-killed white spruce and black spruce, Staller said.

The fire continues to burn to the east and northeast ahead of 5-10 mph winds out of the west.

"We have done some bucket drops on the western edge to cool off that edge and let the fire burn east," Staller said.

As long as no major weather changes occur, he said the fire will probably burn up to the Kenai Mountains bench and run out of fuels.

Another fire nearby, the Ashley Avenue fire off Funny River Road, which started Sunday afternoon, was completely contained by firefighters from several agencies by 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to Roesch.

The fire burned 9.8 acres.

"We still have about 35 firefighters on the fire, laying hose lines," Roesch said. The firefighters are from the Chugachmiut Type 2 Initial Attack Denali crew, the Division of Forestry, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and the Kenai Squad, a small portion of the Kenai fire crew, she said.

Roesch said the U.S. Forest Service also has had a fuel crew on the Ashley Avenue fire since Sunday.

Fire Management Officer Tom Marok with the Division of Forestry said the open burn suspension will remain in effect on the Kenai Peninsula "until we get a decent weather change." Burn barrel fires are included in the ban.

Although Kenai Public Health does not customarily see acute care issues such as people experiencing respiratory problems from the heavy smoke, the Department of Environmental Conservation advises people with respiratory illness or heart disease, the elderly and children to avoid exposure to smoke.

When in areas of smoke, avoid outdoor activities or physical exertion, DEC advises.

Some symptoms to watch for are coughing, a scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, shortness of breath, chest pain, headaches, stinging eyes and a runny nose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.

The best protection from the harmful effects of smoke, the CDC says, is to limit exposure:

* Stay indoors whenever possible, using air conditioners rather than opening windows for ventilation;

* Use mechanical or electronic air cleaners;

* Keep windows closed while driving in a vehicle;

* Reduce physical activity levels;

* Minimize other sources of air pollution such as smoking, using a wood stove, burning candles and vacuuming.

Phil Hermanek can be reached at phillip.hermanek@peninsulaclarion.com.