Fire more than half contained, some hot spots still visible

  • By Rashah McChesney
  • Sunday, June 1, 2014 10:39pm
  • News

Wet conditions continued Sunday as fire crews working on the Funny River Horse Trail wildfire continued to work on containing the controlled edges of the 193,000 acre wildfire.

Rain and strong winds stalled worked Saturday after crews lost electrical power and trees were blown down along the fire line, according to an Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team media release.

Fire crews were removed from the lines for safety reasons after a falling green tree damaged a four-wheeler ATV, though no one was hurt according to the release. Rain and winds slowed lae Friday and crews near th Bear Creek subdivision were transported to camp at Skyview High School in Soldotna.

The fire is 58 percent contained at 708 firefighters are still working to control the blaze.

Crews are using infrared equipment to detect hot spots and smoke from continued fire activity could likely be seen well into the summer, according to the release.

Although fire activity is dying down, a temporary flight restriction is still in place over the Funny River Fire.

The fire’s flight restriction zone was violated four times Sunday, according to a media release. The restriction applies to all general aviation traffic.

Staff at the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Office of Emergency Management call center announced its closure, according to a media release. Beginning Monday, residents can call the general emergency management line during business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The number to call is 907-262-4910.

 

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