The Caribou Lake Fire, 25 miles northeast of Homer, is 20 percent contained and is estimated to cover 900 acres. Around 80 people are fighting the fire.
A Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect for the Caribou Lake area.
Drivers out East End should be aware that Forestry is using a gravel lot on Basargin Road. Signs and flags are on the road near the staging area.
A new map of the fire is expected to be complete today, Monday.
The North Fork Fire, 6 miles northwest of Homer, is now 100 percent contained at 59 acres. Firefighters continue to mop up the fire.
KBBI’s Kathleen Gustafson checked in with Kachemak Emergency Services Chief
Bob Cicciarella at 10:00 this, Monday, morning for an update.
Transcript:
KBBI:
I was wondering if you had an update on what's going on with Kachemak Emergency Services today, Monday morning.
Chief Cicciarella:
Okay, crews came back about 9:00 last night (Sunday) from the Caribou Lake Fire they're going to take a break from it today because we have orders to supply a tanker for the North Fork Fire and then another one to supply a tanker for the Caribou Lake Fire which is going to be stationed at the gravel pit on Basargin Road, filling bladders for the fire out there.
KBBI:
And you told me when we spoke earlier this morning that your crews were checking on a spotting of smoke.
Chief Cicciarella:
Yes. We got a call for a smoke investigation. It was approximately 8:15 or 8:30 this morning and it was off of mile 166 on the Sterling Highway, a report of a column of gray smoke. Firefighters went to the area and searched the area but found nothing.
KBBI:
At the meeting on Saturday, you offered to help coordinate people who have cabins out at Caribou Lake.
Chief Cicciarella:
That's correct. One of the questions that came from the crowd was that they were wondering if they needed to go out and get something at their cabin, would that be okay. And we said that we could coordinate an escort to bring people out there if need be and then bring them back.
KBBI:
The number to call if you're one of those people is 235-9811. Is that right?
Chief Cicciarella:
Correct. At this point in time, just everybody please be safe. We do have a burn ban on and you know that basically means everything.
KBBI:
My question about that is - you're even talking about things like running four-wheelers, mowing the lawn, that kind of stuff?
Chief Cicciarella:
No, no, not that. I mean any open burning. Some people think like a weed burner is okay to use but those are not okay to use because they do start fires.
KBBI:
Okay. Thanks a lot.
Chief Cicciarella:
Good day.
