Crews Fighting to Keep Funny River Fire Away from Homes

Firefighting crews battled to keep the Funny River fire from expanding toward homes and cabins on the Kenai Peninsula. People evacuated from about 1,000 households waited it out through Sunday night at shelters, and homes of friends and relatives. The fire has been spotted at times across the Kenai River.

The Sterling Highway corridor in the Soldotna area, and parts of Kasilof
are being defended, along with buildings along the Funny River Road
and subdivision. Governor Sean Parnell flew over the area on Sunday and Alaska National Guard resources were called out to help fight the blaze, now at an
estimated 243 square miles.

Firefighting crews began pulling out of the Tyonek fire on the
western side of Cook Inlet on Sunday to work on the Funny River
fire. That does not mean the danger is over there, especially with
winds.  The Tyonek Fire is at about 1,900 acres and has consumed five
buildings, none occupied.  There will be a town meeting in Beluga
Monday night.