Fire Danger Ratings

Posted on: July 9, 2009 | admin | Comments Off | Print Article | Rate Post:

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Lack of rain has brought Fire Danger Ratings to Extreme in east-central Peninsula. The remaining areas are also in High except for Kodiak. The indices in Kodiak are Moderate and rising as most of the islands have not received rain for 2 weeks.

The weather forecast for the Peninsula is for continued dry conditions, with daytime high temps, relative humidities to the mid 30% range, and winds over 10 mph out of the north and NW, becoming SW by Friday. There is also no rain in the forecast for Kodiak Islands.

The burn suspension of debris burns and burn barrels is still in place in areas where permits are required. Individuals outside of permit areas should contact their local fire service area or fire department.

Although campfires are not banned at this point, individuals are reminded that with the high fire danger, they should use extreme caution before lighting any fire or working in vegetated areas as they may be responsible for damages and costs associated with an escaped fire.

The Ashley Fire off Funny Rvr Rd is contained and controlled and will be placed in monitor status at end of shift on Thursday.

The Shanta Creek Fire on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is approximately 10,000 acres. A NEMO (National Emergency Management Organization) Team will assume command of the fire at 4 pm today. Helicopters will do bucket work on the northern edge of the fire and other resources have been ordered. The fire is about 5 miles south of the Funny River Road area and 9 miles east of developed lands at Kasilof. The entire fire remains in the limited protection area that has not burned for over 100 years. For Public Information on the Shanta Creek Fire, please contact the KNWR at 260-5994.

When residents call about fire concerns, you can remind them that although current fires are not immediately threatening, fires can start anywhere. What they can do is to re-visit their FireWise checklist to make sure that flammables are removed from around structures and that vegetation is raked, mown, and watered.

A FireWise Landscape is Lean, Clean, and Green.

Please call with comments or questions,

Sharon Roesch
Wildfire Prevention Officer
Alaska Division of Forestry
907-260-4260 or 398-6041.