Air tankers and smokejumpers responded to a fire that burned several structures and spread to the tundra in the Southwest Alaska village of Kasigluk. The Kasigluk Fire (#139) burned three buildings, including a school building.
Alaska Division of Forestry Photo/Tim Whitesell
Alaska State Troopers said there were no known injuries or fatalities resulting from the fire.
The tanker dumped retardant to help contain the fire, which had spread south, scorching about five acres of tundra. Because vegetation near the buildings was sparse, there was little spread within the village. The fire is contained and is no longer a threat.
Kasigluk is a village of about 590 people located on the Johnson River, 27 miles northwest of Bethel. Like many rural Alaska villages, Kasigluk does not have an established fire department.
The Deputy Fire Marshal from the Alaska Department of Public Safety will investigate the cause of the fire.
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 