Flames approach a cabin in the Caribou Hills Fire, Kenai Peninsula 2007

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge was acknowledged by the Incident Command Team for assistance in the Caribou Hills Fire, 2007

The Caribou Hills Fire started June 19, 2007 from sparks in dry grass caused by a resident grinding the plastic coating from a shovel.  The fire quickly spread and ultimately destroyed approximately 200 structures.  Approximately 56,000 acres burned including about 6,000 acres in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.  Refuge staff were deployed as part of the incident management team and for a variety of team assignments including firefighting, dispatch, and "bear guards."  At the height of the fire nearly 700 personnel were assigned.  The Refuge developed suppression guidelines that gave the highest priority to firefighter and public safety, fiscal responsibility, and protection of wilderness resources.  Crews were demobilized when the fire was 80% contained with monitoring still occurring in the uncontained portion of the Refuge Wilderness Area.