Story last updated at 7/2/2009 - 1:49 pm
Refuge officers watch wildfire: Managers plan to let small fire continue to burn
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge managers are keeping their eyes on a small wildland fire just north of Tustumena Lake.
The fire on Shantatalik Creek, dubbed the Shanta Creek fire, started with a lightning strike Monday evening.
Refuge pilots flew over the fire Tuesday, and fire managers evaluated the area from the ground on Wednesday.
"For now, we're going to monitor it and see where it looks like things are going," said Refuge Assisatnt Fire Management Officer Dianne MacLean. "We're not putting it out at this time. It's in a limited suppression area, and we're hoping it will do us some good."
As of Wednesday afternoon, the fire was reported to be about a half-acre in size. MacLean said it was burning in a mixture of spruce and hardwood north of Fox Lake.
"It's just kind of smoldering around a little bit," MacLean said.
MacLean said refuge managers expect the fire to remain active, and will be monitoring it daily.
"We don't expect it to become big rapidly, but it does have the potential to burn up some acreage -- that's what we want it to do," MacLean said.
MacLean said if anyone has questions or concerns about the fire, they can call the refuge at 907-262-7021 and speak with her, Refuge Fire Management Officer Doug Newbould, or Refuge Manager Robin West.
Will Morrow can be reached at will.morrow@peninsulaclarion.com.
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