9 p.m. update:
At around 6:30 p.m., the Alaska Division of Forestry and local fire departments responded to a wildfire in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in the Swan Lake area, near Sterling, around mile 76 of the Sterling Highway. Sterling residents report thunder, lightning and hail in the area around the time the fire started. The fire does not appear to be immediately threatening homes or the road system. Initial reports put it at 150 acres, about 6 miles from the Sterling Highway.
The weather forecast for Friday is mostly clear, with highs in the 60s to lower 70s. Saturday calls for a slight chance of showers.
Original post:
The Alaska Division of Forestry is responding to a wildfire on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in the Swanson River/Swan Lake area. Little information is available at this time, but the fire does not appear to be to immediately threatening homes or the road system. Fire danger on the central peninsula is currently rated as high.