The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for the interior of the Central Kenai Peninsula for parts of this weekend.
Originally given for today (Friday), the watch, now for Saturday, is in response to expected hot, dry, and windy conditions. North winds with gusts 30 to 45 mph, relative humidity as low as 25 percent, and high temperatures in the 70s are expected.
The weather service bulletin says the timing of increasing winds after midnight tonight will result in a reduction in the relative humidity, and combined with clear skies and high temperatures, could literally fan the flames of any fires that may ignite. Rapid ignition, growth, and spread of fires could be possible.
The Swan Lake Fire, which saw some smoke tendrils form this week in gusty winds, could return to the days of mid June when smoke density forced repeated closures of the Seward Highway.
Brentwood Reid, the Swan Lake Incident Commander said because of the forecasted winds he is expecting much more smoke in Cooper Landing and the Kenai River corridor east of the fire than has been experienced in recent weeks since the fire has petered out.
A burn ban remains in effect on the Kenai Peninsula.
Fire Weather Watch issued for Peninsula interior
