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28-507: The Swan Lake Fire was a large lightning-caused wildfire that burnt between Sterling and Cooper Landing on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska from June 5, 2019, until the autumn of that year. In total, the fire burned approximately 170,000 acres (69,000 hectares). Southcentral Alaska had an exceptionally hot, dry spring and summer season in 2019. 2019 saw the second-warmest month of June in

56-515: A female householder with no husband present, and 22.1% were non-families. 17.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.16. In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 30.6% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

84-547: Is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough , Alaska , United States. At the 2020 census the population was 5,918, up from 5,617 in 2010. Sterling is the tenth-most populated CDP in Alaska. Sterling is located on the western side of the Kenai Peninsula at 60°31′47″N 150°47′52″W  /  60.52972°N 150.79778°W  / 60.52972; -150.79778 (60.529635, -150.797887). It

112-518: Is bordered to the west by Ridgeway , to the southwest by Soldotna , and to the south by Funny River . Soldotna Creek forms the western boundary of the community, and the Kenai River forms the southern boundary. Alaska Route 1 , the Sterling Highway, runs through the community, leading southwest 11 miles (18 km) to the center of Soldotna and east 34 miles (55 km) to Cooper Landing at

140-461: Is temporally or permanently relocated. Evacuation planning and early warning systems are frequently used to protect people at risk. Flood peaks increase more rapidly with increases in rainfall intensity above a threshold value for the maximum 30 min intensity of approximately 10 mm per hour. That this rainfall intensity could be used to set threshold limits in rain gauges that are part of an early warning flood system after wildfire. Often it

168-470: Is the headquarters for Alaska State Parks on the Kenai Peninsula. The park is 279 acres (113 ha) and has a campground and one of the few public access points for bank fishing on the middle Kenai River. Burned area emergency response The burned area emergency response risk management process begins during or shortly after wildfire containment with risk assessments evaluating the effects of

196-407: Is the sole major road providing access to the western peninsula. Forty firefighters were deployed to prevent the fire from approaching or crossing the highway, and refuge managers closed a number of access roads deemed too close to the fire area. Over the next several weeks the fire expanded and numerous closures and burn suspensions were issued, as well as air quality alerts for some areas. By July 9

224-626: The Cerro Grande Fire in 2000. A BAER plan is developed based on the risk assessments and burned area land management objectives. The BAER Plan identifies the most effective treatments to address the identified risks. Plan implementation timeframes are dictated primarily by anticipated future events (e.g., next significant rainstorm) which also influence treatment options. Burned area emergency response has mostly concentrated on risk reduction treatments with varying degrees of success. Risk avoidance, transfer and retention treatments are integral in

252-569: The poverty line , including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over. The town now known as Sterling was originally called "Naptowne" when it was first opened for settlement in 1947. However, the area—which had a few homesteaders by then—acquired a post office in 1954 which was given the designation of "Sterling" after the Sterling Highway that served the area. An archaeological site, containing prehistoric Dena'ina house pits, has been discovered near Sterling, showing that

280-401: The 1960 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. In 1980, it was made a census-designated place (CDP). As of the census of 2000, there were 4,705 people, 1,676 households, and 1,305 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 60.9 inhabitants per square mile (23.5/km ). There were 2,554 housing units at an average density of 33.0 per square mile (12.7/km ). The racial makeup of

308-401: The CDP was 92.7% White , 0.4% Black or African American , 3.3% Alaskan Native , 0.5% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 0.6% from other races , and 2.5% from two or more races. 1.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 1,676 households, out of which 40.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.5% were married couples living together, 6.7% had

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336-540: The Labor Day holiday weekend. By the seventh, rain had helped considerably and much progress was made in constructing control lines, although hot spots remained on the western edge in hard to access areas which were targeted by helicopter operations. By the end of the month the usual rainy season was well underway and the fire was over 80% contained. Major remaining hazards include ash pits and weakened trees. Burned area emergency response teams took actions to reduce danger over

364-507: The apparent cause. The fire ignited in an area of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge that is under limited management, where naturally occurring wildfires are generally allowed to burn unchecked and are seen as natural and beneficial. By June 13 the fire had consumed more than 7,000 acres (2,800 ha) of wild land, mostly black spruce . The southwest corner of the fire was approaching the Sterling Highway corridor, which

392-487: The application of very large amounts of seed (thousands of pounds) ensures that a significant number of non-native plant seeds will be distributed. Avoidance treatments remove values at risk from risk prone areas. Frequently homes and other values are located on alluvial fans at the base of watersheds. The presence of the alluvial fans indicates a history of significant flooding, debris flows and mudflows with potential personal and property damage potential. Mobile property

420-458: The area was inhabited in prehistoric times. The main industries around Sterling today are support for tourism and sport fishing and hunting. Sterling is adjacent to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and also two Alaska state parks . Scout Lake State Recreation Site is a 164 acres (66 ha) day-use only park. The park has a picnic shelter and a lake stocked with rainbow trout and Arctic grayling . Morgan's Landing State Recreation Area

448-1197: The burned area emergency response risk management process. Risk reduction treatments are designed to protect human life and safety and reduce flood severity, soil erosion and prevent the establishment of non-native plants. On 10 wildfires studied in Colorado, rainfall amount and intensity followed by bare mineral soil explained 63% of soil erosion variation. Research has shown that the risk of flooding, debris flows and mudflows are significantly increased with increasing rainfall intensities and burn severity and that some risk reduction treatments help for low but not high intensity rainfall events. Mulches , erosion cloth and seeding retard overland flow and protect soil from rain drop impact and increase soil moisture holding capacity. Landscape structures (e.g., log erosion barriers, contour trenches, straw wattles ) trap sediment and prevent slope rilling. Strip tillage and chemicals break up or reduce hydrophobic soils and improve infiltration. Wood and straw mulch reduced erosion rates by 60 to 80%, contour-felled log erosion barriers 50 to 70%, hydromulch 19% and post fire seeding had little effect

476-413: The burned area is reduced by restricting access or thoroughly cleaning all equipment, people and animals of seeds before entering a burned area. Research has shown that non-native plant cover is positively associated with post-wildfire seeded grass cover. Even though post-wildfire seeding operations require seed mix purity standards and the number of contaminated seeds may be small on a percentage based, that

504-655: The fire had grown to 99,000 acres (40,000 ha) and more than 400 personnel were involved in fire fighting efforts. By mid-July a drought had been declared on the peninsula. At the end of July fire growth had slowed and significant containment work had been completed, and firefighters were mostly redeployed to other fires. Over the weekend of August 17, high winds caused the fire to flare up and spread eastward towards Cooper Landing . Wildlife refuge and national forest managers closed several areas in response, motorists were warned of poor conditions and delays, and residents of Cooper Landing were advised to be prepared to evacuate. In

532-486: The first year when rainfall events were small and intensities low. In stream flood control treatments slow, delay, redistribute, or redirect water, mud and debris. Straw bale check dams , silt screens and debris retention basins slow water flow and trap sediment. Riparian vegetation stabilizes streambanks. Roads and culverts are armored and debris removed as needed. Water diversion implements protect facilities and property. The chance of introducing new invasive plants to

560-507: The following week. On September 30 a final update was issued, indicating the fire was 90% contained and further significant growth seemed unlikely. All burned areas of the wildlife refuge were still considered closed due to the after-fire danger. As of September 30, the fire had burned 167,164 acres (67,649 ha). The event islanded the electricity grid in Soldotna and all the way to Fairbanks for months. Sterling, Alaska Sterling

588-446: The highway over the next several days. Type I hotshot crews and heavy water bombers were dispatched to the fire. As the flareup continued and other wildfires sprung up in the area more firefighters were deployed and a disaster was declared by the Kenai Peninsula Borough . By late August the fire had spread closer to Cooper Landing and residents were put on a "set" warning, meaning they should be ready to evacuate at any time. Emphasis

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616-551: The outlet of Kenai Lake . The city of Kenai is 22 miles (35 km) to the west via Soldotna. According to the United States Census Bureau , the Sterling CDP has a total area of 79.7 square miles (206.3 km ), of which 77.8 square miles (201.4 km ) are land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 km ), or 2.36%, are water. Sterling has a continental subarctic climate ( Köppen Dsc). Sterling first appeared on

644-552: The state's history, which, combined with dry conditions created near perfect conditions for wildfires. The Kenai Peninsula normally experiences only one or two lightning-caused fires each year, but in early June 2019 four such fires were ignited in a matter of days, with the Swan Lake fire being by far the largest. While 2019 is by no means the worst fire season in Alaska's history, the fire season has been trending towards longer and more intense activity, with human-caused climate change as

672-401: The weather had changed to the more usual damp, rainy conditions normal for that time of year and fire growth had slowed considerably. Firefighting personnel continued mop-up operations including constructing control lines and using drones to search for hotspots along the perimeter. Pilot car operations continued on the Sterling Highway and travelers were still warned to expect long delays during

700-477: The west the fire spread across the highway for the first time, and portions of the Skilak Lake road, the only alternative route through the area between Cooper Landing and Sterling, were closed due to fire encroachment and poor visibility. The highway itself was reduced to one-way-at-a-time traffic in one lane. Later that same day, the fire crowned in this area and began moving rapidly, forcing intermittent closure of

728-416: The wildfire against values needing protection. These risk assessments can range from simple to complex. An organized interdisciplinary team of subject matter experts (e.g., hydrologists, soil scientists, botanists, cultural resource specialists, engineers, etc.) used among other assessment tools hydrological modeling and soil burn severity mapping to assess potential flooding and vegetation recovery after

756-409: Was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.2 males. The median income for a household in the CDP was $ 47,700, and the median income for a family was $ 53,889. Males had a median income of $ 45,063 versus $ 27,946 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $ 20,741. About 7.7% of families and 10.0% of the population were below

784-521: Was placed on preserving structures and homes as the fire managed to cross control lines. More than 650 personnel were engaged in fighting the fire; the estimated cost of the efforts through the last week of August is 30 million dollars. Alaska's statutory fire season, in which open burning is regulated and permits are required, was extended by a month by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources in response to this and other fires. By September 1,

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