Firefighters responded to a small grass fire in the Kasilof area yesterday along K-Beach Road. According to the Alaska interaction Coordination Center, a caller reported that a bald eagle struck a power line and caused a spark to fall and ignite the grass in the ditch below.
The collision with the power line unfortunately killed the eagle. The fire scorched a twenty-by-thirty foot patch of grass, but the only threat was to the power line, and the Division of Forestry called it under control about an hour after it was reported.
Despite recent rainfall, the burn permit suspension is still in place on the Kenai Peninsula because of high fire danger and limited firefighter availability. Small campfires are still allowed, but practice safe burning and make sure it is entirely out before leaving.
Reach Elizabeth Earl at eearl@kdll.org.