'UPDATE: Cooper Landing now at "Set" alert
Photo courtesy Jan Powers
By Mike Ross | Posted: Mon 8:56 PM, Aug 26, 2019 | Updated: Mon 10:57 PM, Aug 26, 2019
ANCHORAGE, Alaska UPDATE 10:45 pm:
From the KPB School District:
"School is cancelled at Cooper Landing School on Tuesday, August 27, 2019.Effective August 26, 2019, until further notice: KPBSD student activity related travel between Sterling and Cooper Landing on Sterling Highway between MP 45-71 is cancelled until further notice.
Local air quality and predictions will determine if OUTDOOR activities and athletics at or hosted by KPBSD schools are restricted. School administrators will determine if recess, outdoor classroom activities, and sports practice will take place based on Air Quality conditions in their immediate area. Cancellations or restrictions may happen if conditions change rapidly."
Original story:
Fire officials Monday night raised the evacuation alert for the Cooper Landing area to "LEVEL 2: SET". Previously, the alert level was at "ready".
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management posted this bulletin on it's web page Monday evening at 7:45 p.m.:
"The Swan Lake Fire area near Cooper Landing has become increasingly active today crossing Resurrection Pass Trail at Slaughter Ridge. The Great Basin Incident Management Team which is managing the fire, in coordination with the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management, has changed the evacuation alert to LEVEL 2 (SET) in all areas of Cooper Landing MP 46-54. A Level 2 (SET) Evacuation is NOT a notice to leave. This notice means that you must be ready and prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. A Level 2 (SET) signifies that there is significant danger in your area. Get SET by loading your 6 P’s: People, Pets, Pills, Photos, Personal (computer back-up info), and important Papers and a 7-day kit into your vehicle. You may have time to gather necessary items, however remember you must be prepared and ready to relocate. You may want to leave at Level 2 (SET) if you need additional time to relocate family members with mobility issues or to relocate pets, livestock and large mobile vehicles such as RVs, ATVs or boats. If you need extra time; don’t wait to leave."
The Alaska Division of Forestry issued this notice Monday night:
"The Sterling Highway is now closed at the Y at the intersection of the Sterling Highway and the Seward Highway to allow people leaving Cooper Landing to get out. Cooper Landing is at SET. This is not a notice to leave, but those Cooper Landing residents that choose to leave should head to Anchorage or Seward.All drivers near milepost 71 (Watson Lake) should turn around and head back to Soldotna. Two helicopters are working the fire with a third coming. It’s too smoky for fixed wing to fly. Air attack is up trying to get eyes on the fire."
This is a developing story. Check Channel 2 News and KTUU.com for updates.
