Caribou Hills fire out of control near Homer, Alaska

June 20, 2007

Anchorage, Alaska - The Division of Forestry says a forest fire in the Caribou Hills east of Ninilchik, Alaska has burned more than 2,500 acres and is totally out of control.

The wildfire began around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday evening in the Caribou Hills east of Ninilchik.

(Photo courtesy: Dave LaForest, Alaska State Forestry Service)

From the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Press Release:

The Caribou Hills Fire, which started Tuesday evening was reported between 1000 - 1200 acres this morning. The approximate fire location is east on Oilwell Road, east on 5000 road about four miles. It is south of 5000 road, north, south and west of Deep Creek and moving up the north side of Deep Creek Dome. Approximately 500 acres are burning north of Deep Creek with the rest of the acreage burning south of Deep Creek. One structure, belonging to Rob Coreson, has burned while several others were saved due to hard work by firefighters. The structure that was lost is in the section north of Deep Creek. Two people, not four as previously reported, were evacuated from the Caribou Hills area by a Division of Forestry Helicopter Tuesday .

Crews worked until 1am Wednesday morning before going to bed. The fire was reported as active most of the night and active again early this morning. With today's expected temperatures of 70-79 degrees, and humidity of 14 to 22, fire behavior is expected to be active again. Priorities of the Incident Commander Terry Anderson are structure protection and protection of the HEA transmission line in the area. Smokejumpers and DOF firefighters are working to put in hose lines to protect the transmission line.

The fire is moving primarily south and west this morning. Fire fighters hope to hold it west of Deep Creek, using the creek as a natural barrier. The Pioneer Peak Type 1 Crew is on scene, crews from Tanacross and Nikolai are enroute and more crews have been ordered.

Oilwell Road is open but 5000 road is closed to traffic. Other descriptions of the fires location are: 14 miles east of Ninilchik, 17 miles SE of Clam Gulch, 20 miles S of Johnson lake and 8 miles NW of Caribou Lakes.

BURN PERMIT SUSPENSION

Effective Saturday evening June 16th, the Kenai-Kodiak Area office of the Division of Forestry closed permitted burning for the entire western Kenai Peninsula until further notice. Burning in barrels was also suspended. Individuals may not conduct any burning of brush, grass, or yard debris or burn in a barrel until a change in the weather allows the suspension to be lifted. Campfires are allowed, but individuals must use caution: Locate the fire in a dirt area, in a fire ring away from vegetation, including moss and peat. Water for extinguishment must be on site, and the fire must be attended to until it is completely out. Never light a fire during windy conditions.

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