After closing again Monday night due to increased wildfire activity and dense smoke along the Sterling Highway west of Cooper Landing, the authorities opened one lane at 10 o'clock this morning.
Pilot cars will escort 50 cars at a time in alternating directions of the 24-mile affected stretch of highway between mileposts 53 and 77. Cars are reportedly backed up for several miles on both sides of the closure.
Alaska State Troopers will be patrolling the area and monitoring traffic. No stopping along this section of the Sterling Highway will be allowed. Motorist are advised to proceed cautiously through the affected area, drive with their lights on, and watch for firefighting personnel working in the area.
There is fire near the road way. If conditions worsen, travel could be halted and the road closed again.
The Swan Lake Fire had been backing towards the highway from the south, where it had jumped the road on Sunday, and the related smoke has made travel along that section of the road impassable.
