Funny River News

The Shantatalik Creek fire grew to between 8,000 and 10,000 acres as of Thursday evening, and a National Emergency Management Organization team has assumed command of the blaze which has blanketed parts of the central peninsula in smoke this week.

It would have been tough to miss the large smoke plume that began rising toward the sky late Sunday afternoon, emanating from a wildland fire that originated off of Funny River Road.

Due to continued dry weather and a forecast for gusty, afternoon winds throughout the week, the Kenai-Kodiak Area the Alaska Division of Forestry has suspended the use of permits for open burning for the Kenai Peninsula.A Burning in barrels will not be allowed during the suspension.

If favorable weather persists, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is planning to continue implementation of the Lily Lake prescribed fire project, possibly as early as the end of this week or early next week.

Two separate wildland fires were accidentally started Tuesday on the Kenai Peninsula, but both were quickly contained.

I frankly have to admit to spending some time today staring out the window at work and wishing I was on the course.

Caribou are fascinating creatures here on the Kenai Peninsula. They are well adapted for our cold climate with short ears and tails, as well as hollow hair which insulates them against extreme cold.

Committee leadership assignments have been divvied out on the newly constituted Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly.