Hunters on the Kenai Peninsula should avoid active wildfires, Alaska Department of Fish and Game said in a Thursday press release.
Hunting season is already open, and more openings are scheduled soon for the Kenai Peninsula. Two active fires — the Swan Lake Fire and the Caribou Lake Fire — may impact hunting areas in Unit 15A and Unit 15C.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game has not issued an emergency order, closing hunting opportunities in the area, but hunters in the Swan Lake Fire area should note local land closures from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service. Portions of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and the Chugach National Forest, and potential highway closures may impact hunting plans.
Hunters should give fire crews plenty of space, the release said. Hunters may also face logistical challenges from road closures due to fire activity, poor visibility or air quality from smoke, downed trees, or getting caught in the paths of rapidly moving fires.
When in camp, note that burn bans are still in effect across the Kenai Peninsula. All burning, including campfires and the use of charcoal grills, is currently prohibited, including campfires in established fire pits or rings in designated campgrounds.
