Additional campgrounds on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge have been reopened Thursday, due to reduced fire danger and winding down of fire operations on the Swan Lake Fire.

The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge has re-opened several recreational facilities previously closed due to the Swan Lake Fire.

Andy Loranger, Refuge Manager: “The newly open recreational facilities are the Vista Trail, Doroshin Bay Cabin which is on Skilak Lake, Hidden Lake itself and Hidden Lake Campground and the East Fork Moose River; which includes Watson and Afonasi Lakes.”

The designated closure area originally established around the fire is also being reduced to the Swan Lake Fire perimeter as shown on the September 30, 2019 Swan Lake Public Information Map. All lands burned by the fire within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge remain closed. Hazards within the burn include fire-weakened standing trees that may fall without warning and deep ash pits holding residual heat capable of causing severe burns.

According to Loranger, sawyers are continuing to work throughout refuge on hazard trees to allow further openings of public use cabins in the refuge.

Although areas will continue to open over the next few months, several trails will remain closed throughout the winter.

Andy Loranger, Refuge Manager: “As an example, The Kenai River trail, along Skilak Lake Road on the eastern side, that has been so heavily impacted is just going to take time to get that trail reopened and certainly won’t be ready to open this fall. Skyline Trail is another trail that has been severely impacted by the fire, again that’s out unto 2020.”

Below is complete list of Refuge recreational facilities now open and remaining closed as of October 3rd, 2019;

Facilities Currently Closed Due to the Swan Lake Fire

Campgrounds

Upper Skilak Campground

Lower Skilak Campground

Petersen Lake Campground

Kelly Lake Campground

Jean Lake Campground

Lower Ohmer Lake Campground

Engineer Lake Campground

Trails

Kenai River Trail

Hideout Trail

Seven Lakes Trail

Marsh Lake Trail

Skyline Trail

Fuller Lakes Trail

Surprise Creek Trail

Cabins

Kelly Lake Cabin

Engineer Lake Cabin

Big Indian Cabin

Trapper Joe Cabin

Rivers and Lakes

Engineer Lake

Kelly Lake

Petersen Lake

Roads

Mystery Creek Road

Facilities Currently Open Adjacent to the Swan Lake Fire Area

Campgrounds

Watson Lake Campground

Hidden Lake Campground

Trails

Hidden Creek Trail

Skilak Lookout Trail

Bear Mountain Trail

Vista Trail

Cabins

Upper Ohmer Cabin

Doroshin Bay Cabin

Rivers and Lakes

Hidden Lake

Watson Lake

Kenai River

East Fork Moose River

Roads

Skilak Lake Road

Upper Skilak Road

Lower Skilak Road

Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / National Wildlife Refuge-Kenai