The Swan Lake Fire northeast of Sterling continues to burn at a moderate pace, according to fire managers. It doubled in size again overnight, to almost 7,000 acres, or 11 square miles.
The Division of Forestry has been keeping an eye on the wildfire, but allowed it to burn unimpeded as it headed further away from the community and highway. This latest expansion, though, has forced Forestry’s hand, and they are bringing in two 20-person firefighting crews today (Thursday) to begin work on securing the southwest corner of the fire.
The fire overnight burned into the scar left by the 2017 East Fork Fire, and is now less than three miles from the Sterling Highway, and less than six from the community of Sterling. There are extensive wetlands between the fire and the community.
Motorists who encounter smoke on the highway are advised to slow down and turn on headlights. The fire is currently visible from between miles 65 and 75 of the Sterling Highway.
The forecast is calling for rain beginning Friday morning, though gusty winds and thunderstorms could develop Friday afternoon.
The fire is being managed by a Type 3 incident management crew.
We have a map of the fire as of noon Thursday up on our web site, and KDLL will have updates as required both on the air and online.
