Cloudy, wet weather over the weekend allowed firefighters to make progress in slowing the growth of the 12,782-acre Swan lake Fire near Sterling, according to a press release from the Alaska Division of Forestry.
Monday afternoon winds were expected to test fire lines, and sporadic showers were not predicted to produce wetting rain, according to the release.
The fire will transition to an incoming Type 2, bringing more personnel onto the incident management team. The team will continue strategizing as warmer, drier days are expected to continue, the release said.
Fire lines near the community of Sterling were strengthened over the weekend by fire crews, according to the release.
Monday, crews, including 118 personnel, worked to further protect the Sterling community by mopping up, securing and monitoring fire lines on the southwestern edge of the fire, the release said.
Monday morning, Incident Command transitioned from the Division of Forestry Kenai-Kodiak Unit in Soldotna to Sterling Elementary School, the release said. Residents should expect to see more fire personnel on the Sterling Highway while they complete this transition.
The lighting-caused fire has been burning in an area within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge since June 5.
