Homer Alaska Caribou Hills Forest Fire!

Firefighters work protect a cabin from a wildfire burning in the Caribou Hills near Ninilchik, Alaska, Friday, June 22, 2007. The 20,000-acre fire burning on the Kenai Peninsula made its way into a 300-home subdivision about 14 miles east of Ninilchik and residents of the Ninilchik 40 Subdivision and the Caribou Hills Recreation Area were ordered evacuated. (AP Photo/Al Grillo)

An enormous forest fire started by a spark from a man sharpening a shovel has now destroyed a large number of homes and cabins on the scenic Kenai Peninsula near Homer and Ninilchik.

The fire has had covered some 79 square miles, or 52,000 acres, as of Saturday June 23, 2007, but has been slowed some by the light rains that started on Saturday afternoon. Although these light rains have been of assistance, the fire continues to burn out of control as of this morning, Sunday June 24, 2007.

The fire that has now destroyed 30 homes and another 40 cabins and other buildings was started when sparks from a grinder being used to sharpen a shovel showered down into the dry grasses near one mans feet. No water or extinguishing agents were present to combat what then followed.

Another 600 homes and cabins are still being threatened and an evacuation order is in effect for the area.

Some 250 firefighters were at work on the blaze and more crews were being brought in from the Lower 48 states.

The area involved is the lower portion of the picturesque Kenai peninsula, a location favored by locals and tourists alike to enjoy the summers whale and glacier cruises and where anglers compete with bears for salmon in the local streams or halibut fish in the rich waters of Homer and the lower Cook Inlet.

Fow whale watchers this weekend, smoke and ash remain the big concern. Here on the Kenai, the smoke is causing many to experience discomfort in their eyes, throats and lungs. Smoke from the two forest fires continues to fill the air across Southcentral Alaska. The state and the city have issued health advisories for communities from the Susitna Valley to the Kenai Peninsula.

Kenai Peninsula Air quality is currently unhealthy in many locations on the west side. This includes the areas of Homer, Deep Creek, Ninilchik, Soldotna, Kenai, Sterling and up through Cooper Landing and the Russian River. Sensitive groups should avoid heavy or prolonged exertion; everyone else should reduce exertion. Smoky conditions will continue north and west of the fire.