As the nearly 100,000 acre Swan Lake fire continues to push towards the east the Division of Forestry and the State Parks Department have begun to issue closures to popular hiking and recreating trails due to ongoing safety concerns.

The Upper Jean Lake area and along the Sterling Highway, as well as the Skyline Trail was closed on Friday as fire continues to spread in that direction. Crews are working to improve the Skyline Trail to create a fuel break along the southeast corner of the fire to prevent fire spread along the highway.

Helicopters will continue to utilize water drops to cool areas producing heat north of Upper Jean Lake, according to a release from the Incident Command Team.

The Fuller Lakes Trail, within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, was also closed on Friday, as fire personnel begin assessing the area for potential future operations should the fire continue moving to the east.

The neighboring campgrounds of Watson Lake, Petersen Lake, and Kelly Lake all remain closed. Mystery Creek Road remains closed due to crews utilizing the area.

In addition, due to concern for public health and safety related to the fire, the Chugach National Forest is ordering special closures on the Seward Ranger District of the following areas; All National Forest Lands (NFS) west of Resurrection Pass Trail from the Resurrection Creek Gold Panning Area to Devils Pass Trail and all NFS lands south of Devils Pass Trail west of Seward Highway and north of the Sterling Highway.

Exception includes Gull Rock Trail, Resurrection Creek Gold Panning Area, and Porcupine Campground.

Additional updates will be posted and locations added as they are made available.