This map shows the combined emergency area closure for the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Church National Forest effective Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (U.S. Forest Service)

This map shows the combined emergency area closure for the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Church National Forest effective Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (U.S. Forest Service)

Public lands around fire closed

The closures are due to concern for public health and safety related to the Swan Lake Fire.

Continued wildfire activity has prompted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service to issue emergency area closures for portions of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and the Seward Ranger District of the Chugach National Forest.

Closures for the Chugach National Forest include: all National Forest Service (NFS) lands and facilities south of American Creek to its intersection with the Resurrection Pass Trail, all NFS lands west of Resurrection Pass Trail to Devil’s Creek Trail, all NFS lands west of Quartz Creek and north of the Sterling Highway to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge/National Forest boundary and all NFS lands east of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Boundary to American Creek.

On the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, closures include: all public use facilities within Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area, all refuge lands, trails and facilities adjacent to the Sterling Highway from the eastern boundary of the refuge at Mile 55 to the western boundary of the refuge at Mile 76 and the Sportsman’s Boat Launch Facility.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

More details about the refuge closures as well as a map showing the areas affected can be found at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/kenai/. More details about the closures in Chugach National Forest can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/chugach/alerts-notices.

The closures are due to concern for public health and safety related to the Swan Lake Fire, which has been burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge for 85 days and is currently at 161,921 acres. The closures will be in effect through Sept. 27, but may be rescinded or extended as conditions change.

According to the news release from USFWS, dangerous conditions within the burned area can cause serious injury. Deep ash pits can form in burned organic layers — also known as “duff” — and can stay hot under the surface while blending in visually. Stepping into an ash pit can cause serious burns.

In addition, burned trees have lost their root systems, leaving them weak and likely to fall down even in light winds. Falling trees can change trail access and create challenging hiking conditions where trails were easily accessible in the past.

The open-fire burn restriction remains in effect and includes warming and cooking fires.

More in News

Hunter Kirby holds up the hatchery king salmon he bagged during the one-day youth fishery on the Ninilchik River on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 in Ninilchik, Alaska. Photo by Mike Booz
Ninilchik River closed to sport fishing

The closure is in effect from June 23 through July 15.

Señor Panchos in Soldotna, Alaska, is closed on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna restaurant owner remains in ICE custody; federal charges dropped

Francisco Rodriguez-Rincon was accused of being in the country illegally and falsely claiming citizenship on a driver’s license application.

Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough to provide maximum funding for school district

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will receive less money from the state this year than it did last year.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday.
Pools, theaters, libraries in jeopardy as cuts loom

The district issued “notices of non-retention” to all its pool managers, library aides and theater technicians.

A sockeye salmon is pictured in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Fishing slow on Russian River, improving on Kenai

Northern Kenai fishing report for Tuesday, June 17.

Josiah Kelly, right, appears for a superior court arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchor Point man accepts plea deal for November shootings

Buildings operated by a local health clinic and an addiction recovery nonprofit were targeted.

A demonstrator holds up a sign during the “No Kings” protest on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer hits the streets to say ‘No Kings’

Around 700 gathered locally as part of a nationwide protest.

Brooklyn Coleman, right, staffs The Squeeze Squad lemonade stand during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids learn business skills at annual Lemonade Day

Around 40 stands were strewn around Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski and Sterling for the event.

Planes are showcased at the Kenai Air Fair in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai fair shows off aircraft of all kinds

Cargo planes to helicopters were on display Saturday.

Most Read