Several fires burning on the peninsula have prompted Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce to declare a disaster emergency. Severe drought conditions in the area have brought about an increase in wildfire activity, according to a statement Borough Mayor Pierce sent to the Governor.
The declaration quoted that, "the severity and magnitude of these fires is beyond the authority and capacity of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, a second class borough of the State of Alaska, to provide effective response."
National Weather Service statistics show that Kenai received 1.51 inches (3.84 centimeters) of rainfall between June 1 and Aug. 12, a nearly 40% decrease from the average 3.88 inches (9.86 centimeters) of rainfall for the area.
Kodiak Island is also experiencing a drought. Kodiak officials issued a statement Monday asking residents to take steps to help avoid a water supply shortage, saying, "After unusually hot weather and in preparation of a potentially dry fall, the City of Kodiak is asking customers for a voluntary reduction of water usage."