Latest update on Alaska's Funny River fire

[Blue_In_AK]

From KTVA.com

Update, 6:30 a.m. 5/26

The Funny River fire has now covered more than 156,000 and is about 30 percent contained, according to state forestry officials.

A week after the blaze was first reported, nearly 600 firefighters from across Alaska, the Lower 48 and Canada battled the blaze alongside two Alaska Air National Guard Black Hawk helicopters. According to the Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team, spotting was seen crossing the Kenai River about a half mile ahead of the blaze Sunday night, but active suppression stopped the wildfire from taking hold.

After both the Funny River and Lower Skilak Lake areas were evacuated Sunday, firefighters say an evacuation readiness alert remains in effect for the Kenai Keys Subdivision, Feuding Lane and Kasilof residents living on the east side of the Sterling Highway in between mile marker 103 and the Kasilof River.

Cooler temperatures and rain is predicted for later tonight. We're keeping our fingers crossed. Air quality in Anchorage today is really bad. The smoke is so thick it almost looks like fog.

[uppityperson]

1. roguevalley was on last night, hoping the evacuation went ok and :(

[Mnemosyne]

2. Be safe all in it's path. (((hugs))) nt

[unblock]

3. ah, memories. randy newman's always good to bring some levity to a serious situation:

"Burn On"

There's a red moon rising
On the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake

There's a red moon rising
On the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake

There's an oil barge winding
Down the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake

There's an oil barge winding
Down the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake

Cleveland, city of light, city of magic
Cleveland, city of light, you're calling me
Cleveland, even now I can remember
'Cause the Cuyahoga River
Goes smokin' through my dreams

Burn on, big river, burn on
Burn on, big river, burn on
Now the Lord can make you tumble
And the Lord can make you turn
And the Lord can make you overflow
But the Lord can't make you burn

Burn on, big river, burn on
Burn on, big river, burn on

[Blue_In_AK]

4. At least our river isn't on fire.

. Just everything around it.

[malaise]

5. Thanks Blue_In_AK

Glad they're suppressing it.

[roguevalley]

6. it is so dark in the sky over here. The fire is nine or less miles from

me but I live in town. If it reaches us the kenai is going to be a big smoking hole in the ground.

People will lose homes I think, at least at the end of Funny River Road. Sterling is where Feuding Lane is. This is massive. Pray for rain. I am.

I am also getting my best stuff together along with the cat and dog. It probably won't be necessary but better to be prepared than not. Take care out there. Hugs -RV

[Blue_In_AK]

7. I'm happy to hear from you, Rogue.

It seems like the weather is changing up here. The wind has shifted a little, and I think those may be clouds that are rolling in. It's getting darker here, and it doesn't smell like smoke, so hopefully some rain is on the way.

Yeah, it couldn't be good for the fire to reach Kenai/Soldotna with all that oil infrastructure down there. I really hope it rains good tonight.

[roguevalley]

10. you and me both. went to a fire meeting here tonight.

it is a mess for the funny river folks and it has lit hot spots that were quashed on the Kenai Keys. Tourists here are twirling.

[malaise]

8. This is an order

Stay safe!
Get all your important papers together as well - and photos

[roguevalley]

9. aye aye sir. :D I have. They expect rain tomorrow which

should knock it down. Its about 150,000 acres now. My borough is the size of Oregon. Alaska, it is a trip.

[Blue_In_AK]

11. They're saying now that the area of the fire is larger than Chicago.

The air feels different tonight, though. I'm thinking we have rain on the way.

[roguevalley]

16. I believe it, Blue. Our borough is the size of Oregon. :D

[malaise]

12. Excellent

Rain can be beautiful. Malaise is a lady

[roguevalley]

13. aye, aye ma'am. RV is a twit. :D:D:D:D:D

[malaise]

14. RV is not a twit

Last edited Wed May 28, 2014, 01:02 AM - Edit history (1)

How are things today?

Ouch for the RC

[roguevalley]

15. not too bad. Rain! Beautiful rain!

It is smelly and there is great relief everywhere. It has been the saddest thing. All that wonderland and the animals and their babies. I am so glad its winding down. It really came close. :O

Thank you, malaise. You da bomb.

[malaise]

17. Yes it must have been real hard on the animals

and their babies. Glad for the rain

[Blue_In_AK]

18. Isn't the rain wonderful?

I was so happy to see the mountains again this afternoon.

I have read that a lot of the animals got out ahead of the fire, although a lot of bird eggs were undoubtedly lost. The moose will be happy when the grass comes back next spring, and there will be an amazing mushroom season. Do you like morels?

We must look on the bright side, Rogue.