Courtesy of the NewsMiner:
A massive wildfire pushed by wind in Alaska's Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage continued to explode in size, leading to mandatory evacuations of 1,000 structures, officials said Sunday.
The number of people told to flee their homes isn't clear, said Michelle Weston, spokeswoman with the Alaska Interagency Management Team, which includes the state Division of Forestry and federal and local officials.
Officials said that as of 4 p.m. Alaska time, the fire covered nearly 243 square miles and may continue to grow as it burns in the 1.9 million-acre Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
Reports came in last night that the fire had jumped the Kenai River, putting the town of Sterling in jeopardy as well.
The air quality in Anchorage continues to be pretty bad, and I went outside just now and there is a definite smell of smoke in the air.
The good news is that it is supposed to rain tomorrow, and that should help quite a bit.
At least that is what we are hoping for.
Stay safe, Jesse. Is this normal for Alaska? I live in MI, and we have fires in the state forests, but rarely. We had so much snow and rain over the past six months that I think we're safe this summer, but who knows.
ReplyDeleteIt is normal. very normal.
DeleteHowever since Alaska is so vast it is less common for the fires to endanger people's homes.
As one who escaped loss of home to the Waldo Canyon fire in the Colorado Springs area my thoughts are with all of my Alaskan brothers & sisters...It was a frightening experience, only to be followed by major devastating floods the following summer. I'm hoping for a not too dry nor too wet of a summer.
DeleteI can only recommend at least have important papers, irreplaceable photos and small keepsakes close at hand in the event of evacuation.
We ended up taking 2 dogs, a cat, their food, kennel and kitty box, important papers, some photo albums & a handful of keepsakes when we were evacuated at 2:00 AM. Fortunately we were able to return home within 24 hours.
Let us all hope the weather forecast is correct. Rain, rain, rain. Wish we could send you some of the rain we have had today in Illinois. I hope the people in the region are kept safe, and do not lose their homes.
DeleteI have never been to Alaska, but know that it is a place of
ReplyDeletebreathtaking beauty! This is all so sad for all Alaskans and
their beautiful State., Oh yes, not all Alaskans. Palin is jumping up and down with glee , using this horrific tragedy
as an opportunity to squawk blame at President Obama for the burning of Alaska!
of Alaska!
Can just almost feel the heat of those flames, wow. We never really feel the power until we're up close. Wishing all Alaskans safe and especially the firefighters and crews.
ReplyDeleteUnlike 9:49, I HAVE been to Alaska and to the Kenai Peninsula even, so I can say from personal experience it IS gorgeous.
ReplyDelete(Actually, I very nearly did NOT come back here!)
I am sorry for this happening. Perhaps I missed you reporting it, but have they been able to determine what caused it yet?
I was living in Maine when the Baxter Park fire happened and assisted in the struggle to get it under control. I wasn't allowed near the front lines, not being trained in fire fighting, but I was able to help in the fight to take care of the exhausted fighters. I considered it an honor to help. Those people give EVERYTHING they have in those struggles.
AS has been said, BE CARFUL and don't be afraid to RUN LIKE HELL if needed!
Reports are that it was caused by human negligence.
DeleteA campfire I think.
I remember the Santa Ana winds and the fires in Southern California when I was growing up. Sometimes they burned close and we would spray the wood shingle roofs with water. We moved to The San Francisco Bay Area and then lost the house to the Oakland Hills fire in 1991. It was even more frightening. These fires are going to become more common as the climate changes. Stay safe and don't loiter behind for the property.
ReplyDeletehttp://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3878/
ReplyDeleteAnonymous10:45 AM:
DeleteThanks for the link. ;-)
-Ardiva/Kenai AK
You're welcome.
DeleteHelp from Mother Nature is on it's way!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.accuweather.com/en/us/soldotna-ak/99669/daily-weather-forecast/336756
-Ardiva/Kenai AK
Having trouble breathing in Soldotna. The smoke is really bad right now. Usually this time of the day it stays up high, but right now a huge cloud is covering much of the sky. The wind is pretty bad due to the storm coming in and I hope the weather forecast is correct and there will be rain tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteSarah was smart to head to Phoenix with better air and help out the boys at her nearby VA hospital. Cool in the air conditioning luxury of the desert.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot to say "snark". Palin moved to AZ because she thought the people there would be rioting in the streets for her to be made senator, governor or president. She is still waiting.
DeleteAnd what is this about her helping out the boy at the VA hospital? One must care about other people to help out and as we all know, Palin helps herself.
Really, 3:23 PM, you are just too stupid for words.
DeleteA spreading Alaskan wildfire has forced the evacuation of about 1,000 buildings but firefighters have gained ground by containing about 30 percent of the wind-driven blaze, a U.S. Forest Service spokesman said on Monday.
ReplyDeleteThe Funny River wildfire was burning on about 250 square miles (650 square km) of forest, most of it inside the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in southern Alaska (pictured above, before the fire), said Willie Begay, the spokesman.
The week-old fire has expanded from about 172 square miles (446 square km) on Sunday, when it was one-fifth contained. The number of people affected by the evacuation of the buildings was not immediately known.
Almost 600 firefighters are battling the blaze among rolling hills mostly covered with black spruce, Begay said. The area has been without rain for more than a month, and steady winds from the southwest are fueling the flames.
“Once it catches the wind in those areas, it’s pretty fast- moving,” Begay said. He added that rain might come in the next few days, which would help to put out the fire.
Warm and dry spring conditions have given the Alaska fire season an early start. The state Division of Forestry on Friday issued a statewide ban on outdoor burning.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/05/26/wildfire-burns-250-square-miles-of-southern-alaska-wildlife-refuge/
I hope the weatherfolks are right. The link above shows how much area this beast covers. Evacuate when told to, things can be replaced, people can't. It's especially bad for the young and elderly, and those with health issues. Stay Safe, Gryph and all IM'ers in Alaska!!!!
ReplyDelete