Sunday morning began with a fairly status quo update on the Funny River wildfire. The blaze had grown from Saturday evening’s 123,649 (20% contained) to somewhere around 140,000 acres, though the exact figures were still hazy (literally) as crews continued to work on the field and dense smoke made it difficult to see the fire’s perimeter from the air.
State Senator Peter Micciche commented on the growth…
Sen. Micciche(R-Soldotna): “It’s a perfect storm of how bad a fire can be. But then you have to couple that with the glass being half full because not a single structure with 123,000 acres today. Is so incredibly improbable that it goes to show that there is somebody looking out for us. You know what I mean?”
Overnight the evacuation readiness ADVISORY remained in place for Funny River Road from Mile 7 to the end and Kasilof residents on the east side of the Sterling Hwy from M103 to the Kasilof River bridge. Watch here as the fire ran up against the fuel break along Funny River Road Saturday afternoon.
Alaska Air National Guard Blackhawks and structural engines from the Anchorage Fire Department arrived to help fight the Peninsula’s second largest fire on record.
The most common question in the community was, “How can I help?”
Some residents were able to assist with clearing at Kasilof Gas Station, much to the appreciation of ‘Big Joe.’ Otherwise, locals were encouraged to make signs and show support to the guys on the ground as the fire continued to rage out of control.
Brad Nelson with CES had a reminder for those who were eager to get out and help fight the actual blaze… “Good morning guys… your hearts are in the right place, but putting untrained, non-certified people out in the fire area is not a good idea. Simple answer is, this is dangerous work and every year, fire fighters die doing this stuff. There is PLENTY you guys can be doing to help, and you all have starts talking about it. Help each other getting property fire wise, help moving animals or stuff, help getting plans together. Helping each other with property preparation is huge and would have a tremendous impact, not just with this fire, but future fires as well.”
Later Sunday evening, CES Captain Terry Bookey would acknowledge the outpouring of encouragement… “To the citizens of the CES service area and the greater Central Kenai Peninsula:
I sit here struggling to find the right words to express how thankful I am for the overwhelming level of support that this community has provided to me, my crew, and the crews that I work with. I don’t think you can realize just how uplifting it is to all of us when we get a thumbs up or when you stop us to say thank you. I want you to know we are truly honored to serve you.
THANK YOU!”
Information Officer Bernie Pineda with the Alaska Interagency Incident Management said they were expecting wind patterns comparable to Saturday, but not necessarily as strong.
Still no fire fighting personnel injuries or structures had been lost as of late Sunday afternoon.
Rob Allen, Incident Commander, described how the historic nurse’s cabin was saved, even though it was within the perimeter of the fire…
Allen: ”Fish and wildlife service and some of our folks went out earlier. Put pumps and hose around the nurses’ cabin. And then when the fire got there they burned out around the cabin and then mopped it all up. We’ve flown out there every day. We fly by and take a look at it. And folks have been going by there on boats and stopping in and making sure things are still good. And it standing there and the pumps and hose are still in place and if we need to do something we will. But its pretty quite fire wise around it now. We’ve got places where we are doing more stuff in other areas now.”
The National Weather Service began predicting rain for Tuesday, to the relief of residents and fire fighters. There had been no rain for 18 days.
During the 1:30pm media briefing, a progression map showed how the fire had grown and the Governor spoke about the resilience of the Kenai community and how the people here are supporting the fire fighters.
At that time, CES Chief Chris Mokracek told KSRM that his crews were aware of heavy fuel loads along Funny River Road, and that they’d be focusing on that area all afternoon.
By the time we drove from the Incident Command Post (Skyview School) back to the station on K-Beach road, it became clear that the Funny River flank of the fire was going to become a problem.
At 4pm Sunday a string of somewhat confusing robocalls went out, describing evacuation orders and advisories. For unknown reasons, these calls went out to a large number of phones registered with the Borough’s Rapid Notify system which were not in the evacuation area.
We were live on the air as the calls were coming through and were able to clarify later that there was an evacuation for Funny River Road from Mile 7 to the end of the road as the flames grew erratically.
Evacuees were encouraged to take to take pets/people, paper, photos, prescriptions, and the personal computer and register at the evacuation center (the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex). There, Kris Erikson with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service kept people updated with the latest developments. A community potluck was set up at the Birch Ridge Community Church and offers for accommodation started flooding in.
The Kenai Keys from Feuding Lane to the end of the road was put on evacuation watch. Spot fires were seen across the river and CES crews were devoted to extinguishing those. Brad Nelson with CES told us embers affected two residences: a trailer home had a roof fire, and a deck on another home was burned. He said the structures were saved and the area was brought under control close to 6pm.
A Red Cross shelter was set up at Redoubt Elementary with supplies donated by XTO Energy.
KSRM’s Eric Price spoke with Kris Erikson from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife and CES’ Brad Nelson…
Eric: So we are at the shelter. What’s the atmosphere here like over here at redoubt elementary?
Brad: “We have right now a couple families that are going to be staying here. The vast majority of the people just came over to hear the briefing to wanted to hear what the latest and greatest was. So we took care of that. I talked to the Red Cross volunteers and the shelter people and what they are looking for is a couple activities for kids to do coloring books, child’s games. Obviously kids are going to get bored very quickly and they need stuff for them to do. Food and water they have covered. In fact they are unloading another truck load of food that was donated over here. So they don’t need any of that but, if they have some stuff for kids to do, they are more than welcome to bring that by.”
Eric: “What are we going to be doing as far as people have been evacuated there is a shelter been put in place. What are the steps here? I know the forestry side of things are side of things are a little different but what do see the plan being set in place here for the future of these people?”
Kris:” It’s still up in the air, I mean we don’t know. People will come here if they need a place to stay. You know there is food here now. Nice cot to stay in .But a lot of community members may or may not use it so they will stay evacuated and then they will… we will let them know. I’m thinking will do updates in the morning here at the shelter so if people want to come get updated in the morning. I’m not sure exactly what time probably after 8:00am. I don’t know exactly when. So will do some updates here at the shelter to let people know where things stand or what we know from last night and we will just have to see how they day goes.”
Eric: “Are there going to be updates coming in?”
Kris: “There could be some tonight. I honestly don’t know when they are going to wrap it up or when the guys are going to come in from the field. Or feel like they can leave it or if they will stay out there all night. I don’t know that yet.”
Sirens were heard in various neighborhoods as Kenai Fire Department responded to several emergency medical calls, a mutual aid call into CES for an ATV accident and an motor vehicle accident on the Spur Hwy. The sirens rattled some nerves, but we quickly clarified that the incidents were not fire-related issues.
The Division of Forestry turned its attention to Torpedo Lake around 9:30pm as crews elsewhere began to get the upper hand on the flames.
Many of the evacuated residents camped out overnight at Hooligans’s, where Molly Blakeley-Poland opened up 28 rooms for free.
Molly wrote: “We just made fliers for all the guests explaining all the resources their are at redoubt, and we are slipping them under their doors. We have about 20 dogs also lol its quite a seen, many people in their PJ’s and all seem a bit scared.
My brother Shon is playing guitar in the lounge and entertaining the guests who just cant sleep.
We kept our kitchen open until 11 and I cooked for 3 hours myself lol.
We just had a wonderful man come by to drop off cupcakes and water for everyone! I have 3 large cans of coffee and 50 cups, so I may need help there, possible milk also. I think one thing that would be very helpful is Dog Food and chew bones.
Tomorrow is going to be Very Busy trying to wash all the towels and sheets for another night Im not quite staffed for summer yet so anyone who would like to help with laundry it would be awesome! Many are hoping to go home tomorrow and see their properties etc. So I will check in again in the afternoon with more updates on my side.
Everyone is very kind and very gracious. We just had a family of 8 arrive and they are going to stay in our final room that doesn’t even have carpet but we put beds on the floors with blankets and pillows, and they were very thankful. I bought color books and crayons for the kids here and lots of breakfast stuff, but we still may need more. I have blisters on both of my feet, its been a very long day for this ol gal, im going to check one last time on things and head home. Blessings and prayers to you all. -Molly”
At the Sports Complex, Eric Price spoke with ‘Mike,’ who had been evacuated…
Eric: What’s your name?
Mike: Mike
Eric: So you’re a resident out on Funny River Road. Is that correct?
Mike: That’s correct
Eric: So with this evacuation being put in place, what did you experience when you were asked to leave your home?
Mike: It all went pretty quick, it was real professional, the state troopers came in, had their lights on asking folks to please move from the area. And that the fire was potentially breaking over the Break.
Eric: Could you tell that they were in a hurry, that they wanted to get everyone out of there?
Mike: They wanted to get everyone out of there, that was the focus. Getting everybody out safely, collectively making sure that it was streamlined.
Eric: Did they stress not to return right now?
Mike: You know that wasn’t brought up but multiple emergency vehicles were on the road itself, they were slowing down traffic, directing traffic so it was pretty apparent to us we don’t know how long it will be. But it was organized and we appreciate it.
Eric: What’s your next step here?
Eric: Kick back, hang out and see what the wind brings.
Michelle Weston with the Forestry had a continual reminder on which items to pack…
Weston: “Ok, after leaving the area it’s very important to have your lights on because it could be smokey. Right now , take five things that are important to you: your pictures, your papers, any pets, prescriptions you may need and any photos. I talked to a woman who had done an evacuation and had ten minutes to leave in Montana and she told me the best thing she wished she wished had taken was the basket of dirty clothes, because she didn’t have anything in the end. As people walking out the door grabbing things that are important to them, and they see the laundry basket of dirty clothes that’s usually your favorite clothes, why not grab that too. Please take care and caution in leaving, when your leaving please drive respectfully and keep your lights on.
KSRM broadcast the latest details live at the top and bottom of every from 4pm until our last break at 11pm. Many of the broadcasts lasted the entire hour, or close to it, as we received continuing updates on the status of the evacuations and the progress of the fire. The Governor pulled into our parking lot during the first hours of the broadcast, to describe what he’d seen at the Sports Complex and express his appreciation for the way this community takes care of its. own.
Thank you to everyone who helped, the many people who offered their homes and equipment for evacuees and the fire staff who went well beyond the call of duty to help residents understand what was happening around their homes.
