The Swan Lake Fire experienced another day of minimal growth on Tuesday, and little growth is expected for the next 48 hours along the Chickaloon, Thurman and Mystery Creek drainages.
Personnel from the Eastern Area Type 2 Incident Management Team assumed command and crews continued to work along the fire’s eastern flank, according to the latest update. Crews are using the natural features and existing trails in the area to establish control lines that will curb eastward spread. The western perimeter of the fire also remains in check due the wetlands and completed control lines in the area. Despite scattered rain showers over the weekend, extremely dry conditions make mop-up efforts in burned areas a challenge.
The latest measurement of the fire puts it at 100,812 acres. Four hundred and forty one personnel are assigned to the fire, and 50% of the management team’s objectives have been completed. Incident meteorologist Julia Ruthford said that the rain from this weekend was not significant enough to slow the spread of the fire, but increased humidity has made some fuels less susceptible to burning. Later this week hotter, drier temperatures are expected to return. Ruthford said that the temperature could be above 80 degrees again by Thursday.
Open fires and campfires are prohibited on the Kenai Peninsula and in other areas of Alaska. Portions of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and the Chugach National Forest remained closed as well, and current closures can be found at http://kenai.fws.gov or http://www.fs.usda.gov/news/chugach/news-events.
