As High Winds & Heat Set In, DNR Battles Fire At Lake Louise, Near Lodges & Cabins

 

State Forestry Fire Picture (Journal archives) 

Firefighters responding to the Lake Louise Fire (#170) 

BY ALASKA DIVISION OF FORESTRY & FIRE PROTECTION on JULY 6, 2023

Aerial view of the Lake Louise Fire (#170) that started on Thursday, July 6 near structures and cabins on the lake. 

UPDATE, 7/7/2023 AT 1:29 PM

Discovered: 7/6/2023 2:12:01 PM
Last updated: 7/7/2023 1:29:39 PM
1.5 acres

At 1400, forestry reported a column of smoke behind a string of houses that wrap around Lake Louise on the southwest side of the lake. The fire was approximately 3-5 acres in size with isolated torching, active burning in black spruce pushing into dense fuels, and structures within a quarter of a mile from the fire. IA responded with a full suppression strategy. Helitack, a load of smokejumpers, air attack, and two fire bosses were delivered and were able to knock down the fire considerably by 1730. Ground resource response, which included Gannett Glacier and three engines, aided the jumpers in containing the fire by 2040. Ground resources completed a 5 foot black containment and a smaller green grid after finding two spot fires.

7:15 PM UPDATE: Fire activity has died down significantly and the Fire Bosses along with air attack have been released. The acreage estimate has been updated to 1.5 acres. Gannett Glacier and smokejumpers are on the ground and working to put in a saw and hose line around the fire. No structures have been impacted at this time and the cause is under investigation.

Firefighters will remain on scene and work through the night towards containment. This will be the final update for Thursday, July 6 unless fire activity changes.

Map of Lake Louise Fire (#170) start near Lake Louise, north of the Glenn Highway

4:26 PM UPDATE: State Division of Forestry & Fire Protection firefighters and interagency resources are responding to a new start near Lake Louise. Four Fire Bosses, one helicopter, air attack, Gannett Glacier, BLM AFS Smokejumpers, and initial attack engines are engaging with the fire. The fire is currently estimated at 5 acres and there are structures threatened.