Troublesome smoke from the Swan Lake Fire near Sterling is expected to return to the Central Kenai Peninsula this weekend. Winds are expected to pick up, and Cooper Landing and Sterling could see smoke increases, more so in the evenings and mornings. Increased fire behavior and smoke production are anticipated with a drying trend in the weather.
The Swan Lake fire is approximately 100,812 acres and is 25 percent contained. 430 personnel are assigned to fight it.
According to the Incident Command in Sterling, the east flank of the fire continued to smolder in the Chickaloon, Thurman, and Mystery Creek drainages with minimal spread. The west flank of the fire has been checked by a wet marshy area. Firefighters this week completed protection efforts at the historic Harry Johnson Cabin located north of the fire perimeter.
Temperatures are expected to climb to the low 80s within the fire zone, with northwesterly winds in the morning, shifting to northeasterly winds in the afternoon.
