The Tustumena Lake fire, about 20 miles south of Soldotna, can be seen from above in July 2024 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Dale Eicher)

The Tustumena Lake fire, about 20 miles south of Soldotna, can be seen from above in July 2024 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Dale Eicher)

Tustumena Lake Fire response demobilized

An update from the division on Sunday says that minimal fire activity has been observed for around a full week

After the Tustumena Lake Fire was declared fully contained by the State Division of Forestry and Fire Protection on Thursday, all resources were withdrawn Sunday.

An update from the division on Sunday says that minimal fire activity has been observed for around a full week.

The fire is around 20 miles south of Soldotna, close to Tustumena Lake in Kasilof. It was caused by an escaped campfire and discovered on June 29. It grew to 35 acres by the next morning, but firefighters from the division and Central Emergency Services kept the fire from spreading further. The division reported that it had reached 100% containment on July 4.

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Containment refers to how much of the fire’s perimeter is entirely controlled, stopping the fire’s movement in that direction.

“The recent wet weather, combined with the successful efforts of firefighting personnel in achieving their objectives, has allowed the fire to transition safely to monitor status,” the update reads.

Centennial Lake Campground, used to stage firefighting resources, is now open to public use. Slackwater Boat Launch and the Tustumena Campground reopened last week.

The division says no further updates will be published for the Tustumena Lake Fire “unless significant activity occurs.”

More information about Alaska wildfires can be found at akfireinfo.com, emergency updates from the borough can be found at “KPB Alerts” on Facebook.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

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