WEATHER
Still way too hot for Interior Alaska. Highs of 85 to 90 this week and little chance of rain.
FIRE UPDATE
My plan was to write a short piece in July about the SP Kennel community's dedication to the prevention and control of wildland fires during the summer. Sudden, fast moving wildfires are a fact of life in Alaska where most of us live in the woods. During very hot, dry weather (like last week's sunny, 88 degrees and relative humidity of 17%) these woods become tinder boxes. Lightening or human error can cause an inferno. And that's what happened one week ago.
Aliy's post on June 18 explained the fire that came way too close to home last Monday. Even though the fire is contained, it still has the potential to flare up. An Incident Command Post (ICP) is now set up in the parking lot of Two Rivers Lodge. Firefighting crews with extensive ground equipment continue to check the entire 120 acre burn for hot spots. They will monitor the burn area until weather conditions change.
Our SP family was intimately involved in fire mitigation from the beginning. Ray coordinated Initial Attack Resources until the fire was contained. Ryne and Kaz were among the first volunteers with dog trucks to help evacuate dogs. Abbie West, neighbor and local musher, directed traffic. Derrick, who has been a smoke jumper for 20 years, was Jumper in Charge of the team that jumped into the neighboring field. Our neighbor Jeff, along with Kaz and Ryne, helped ferry the smoke jumpers to the active site. Meghan, who is a dispatcher for the Alaska Fire Service this summer, was on the west side of the fire, providing moral support for the evacuees. Doug and I evacuated Megan's dogs and stood sentinel at SP in case we had to move dogs while Aliy and Allen hurried home.
I want to personally thank the Alaska Fire Service and Division of Forestry for an incredibly professional job of protecting our lives and property. And special kudos to our family, friends and neighbors here in Two Rivers who volunteered unselfishly. So there, Superman, Batman and Ironman! Here in Two Rivers we are surrounded by the real SUPER HEROES.
Click here for an interesting article on the aircraft used in fighting our fire.
SPK SPONSORS
This past week Aliy, Allen, Mickey, Doug and Ranger travelled to Anchorage to touch base with our SP Kennel major sponsors and supporters. On Wednesday Aliy and Allen (and Ranger) presented an Iditarod overview to 'Visit Anchorage', a group of Alaska tourism business leaders. On Thursday we joined our Clarion Suites friends at a fund raising event for the fantastic Alaska Zoo. On Friday we visited the Horizon Lines headquarters, where Ranger was star of the show. Then Friday afternoon Doug and Allen played in a golf tournament to support Covenant House of Anchorage. Busy few days!!
L-R: Doug, Aliy, Barbara from Clarion Suites and Quality Inn, and Allen at the Zoo, Ranger calls the meeting to order at Horizon Lines' offices.
