Funny River Fire - day 8 - in pictures

I spent most of the day at the church in full on VBS decoration mode. After finishing up I came home, grabbed my camera, and headed down to the beach. The smoke has become incredibly DARK - which has been explained as nothing bad, just the result of the fire crews doing "back burning"... whatever that is. It made for some pretty nice shots.

The current numbers are 176,069 acres, 670 personnel assigned, 0 injuries. No percentage of containment has been listed as far as I know. I'm sure they're waiting until the crews come back in. They're talking about relieving many of them as they've been going for a week now and are in need of sleep and actual rest. They have all been SO AMAZING and the community has really rallied around them. They are our heroes!

Funny River Fire - day 7 - evening pictures

As of 1pm - when the last numbers were given - the acres burned are 156, 041, I cannot find an update on the containment percentage. There has been a significant change in fire patterns and how they are fighting is and it's no doubt MUCH larger now. Today they evacuated much (if not all) of Funny River Road on both sides of the road. With the winds changing direction the fire seems to be moving the opposite direction and has begun to jump the Kenai River near the Kenai Keys area in Sterling.

The officials are reluctant to say that it's jumped, but there are many small fires popping up on the other side of the river. If it hasn't jumped it will. It's a matter of time. They're also not acknowledging that cabins were burned, but reports from those that have cabins in the Keys and were evacuated are reporting otherwise. I typically do not go with something that is unconfirmed, but those reporting it I trust. So we will see what tomorrow holds newswise.

This fire is now, most likely, the largest in state history. If it isn't, it most likely will be soon.

Rain is forecasted to hit sometime Monday night, but most likely not until Tuesday at the earliest. Keep praying.

Funny River Fire - day 6 - evening pictures

As of 9pm tonight the area burned has grown to 106,871 acres with still 20% containment. Good news is rain is on the way, bad news it won't be here until the very earliest Wednesday. The winds have picked up again, but it's a steady wind, not like the unpredictable gusts from last night that prompted the evacuations. They don't expect to be evacuating anyone tonight, but everyone is on high alert. Attention/concern has shifted a bit from Kasilof to Funny River as the winds have changed direction.

The smoke cleared here in Kenai this afternoon. No more week old campfire smell for us. Hopefully it stays away as it was unnerving waking up in the middle of the night smelling thick smoke in the house. Not that our little inconvenience is anything near as stressful as what those in the way of the fires have dealt with.

The water bombers are still taking off and landing here in Kenai. They're using both water and retardants now. They're not expecting a big increase in acres over night like we had last night. But things can change. It really depends on the wind.

Funny River Fire - day 6 - morning pics

The smoke has settled in Kenai. The whole house smells like a campfire. I'll take that inconvenience though over the horror that's playing out on Funny River and Kasilof. Friends were evacuated from their homes last night, but told they could return around 1am today. They're still under evacuation advisory meaning that at a moment's notice they need to be ready to leave again.

The local power company shutdown one of their transmission stations when the fire got too close for comfort resulting in a short power outage - and the radio stations are still trying to get back up and running.

Last report has close to 79,000 acres burned with 20% containment. So the fire's progression has slowed considerably, but with the winds being unpredictable it made for an interesting night.

We still have NO rain in the forecast.

These photos were taken at 6:30am at my house. It's so gross outside.

Funny River Fire - Day 5 - in pictures

I spent most of the day working on Vacation Bible School decorations (we have about a week left for preparation), so I didn't get out to take pictures until later in the evening. The smoke clouds are back as the winds have shifted a bit. Because of the smoke cover they don't have updates on acreage, the last numbers were from this morning at 67,084 with 15% containment. The Pollard Subdivision in Kasilof is under evacuation awareness - meaning they need to be ready at a moments notice to get the heck outta there, but latest reports say they don't expect to have to give that warning soon. We'll see. With the shifty winds anything is possible. Praying they keep it under control. People's lives and homes are at stake.

Funny River Fire - Day 4 - in pictures

I didn't take many pictures today, with all of the haze caused by the smoke and the shifting wind there isn't as much to see. I'm sure if I was a fire chaser I could see it, but that's not going to happen. I don't need to be out there causing the people working the scene anymore worry than what they're already dealing with. Besides, I'm terrified of fire, so the last thing I want to do is actually go TOWARDS it.

I've been asked if I am in any danger where I live of these fires. I am not. Kenai is miles away from where it started and we're on the other side of the Kenai River from it to boot. IF it were to make it's way over here that would mean the City of Soldotna and all of Kenai would be destroyed and pretty much it would be the end of the Peninsula as we know it because it would be a herculean fire.

The fire has consumed just under 45,000 acres. Still hasn't claimed any structures or life (human or livestock anyway). Anchorage and the Valley are covered in the smoke now that winds have shifted. The crews have reported a 5% containment (when I went to bed last night it was at 0% so that's something). Canada sent a few water bomber planes, today was their first day on scene. Looks like they were just what we needed. Thanks Canucks!

Funny River Fire, Day 2, in pictures

The fire that was just a few acres has grown close (if not over by now) 8,000. It's hit Tustumena Lake. According to last reports it is still 0% contained. No homes, people, or structures have been harmed. Winds could shift and all that change. Pray for rain.