These dry, windy conditions further dried out fuels yesterday and there was a marked increase in fire activity in several areas of the Swan Lake Fire. There was substantial growth in the Thurman Creek drainage, and in the Mystery Creek and Dike Creek drainages, according to the Division of Forestry.

Large columns of smoke from these drainages were visible from Cooper Landing yesterday and are expected to

be visible today. After the cold front passes temperatures will drop but conditions will still be very dry. Smokey

conditions are expected to continue in Cooper Landing over the the weekend.

Aircraft will continue to drop water on an area of heat north of Upper Jean Lake and in an area northwest of Fuller Lakes. Aircraft working in these areas will be visible from the road and motorists are asked to be alert for vehicles stopped along the highway and be aware that dangerous conditions can exist when traffic flow is disrupted by vehicle stopping to view suppression operations.

These conditions are forecast to last throughout the weekend, prompting Refuge Managers to close the Fuller Lakes and Skyline Trails. The Chugach National Forest has implemented a closure on Resurrection Pass trail from the junction of Devil’s Pass south to the Sterling Highway.

This closure includes closures for the public use cabins at East and West Swan Lake, Trout, Romig and Juneau cabins.

Updates will be posted as they are made available.