4:30 PM Update
Crews have completed a scratch line on the south side of the fire and are actively constructing another on the north side. A scratch line is a hastily dug fireline typically cleared down to mineral soil that helps slow fire spread while crews work on containment. Sprinkler kits have been ordered and will be deployed in key areas to keep fuels wet, as the fire continues to smolder and burn deep in the ground.
The Butte Fire Department remains on scene alongside Division of Forestry personnel, supplying water and assisting with suppression efforts. Smoke continues to be visible from the Glenn Highway. Crews will remain engaged through the evening, focusing on securing the perimeter, and keeping the fire controlled.
This morning, at approximately 6:15 AM, the Palmer Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, along with the Palmer and Butte Fire Departments, responded to a new fire incident off of Whirl a Way Circle near Palmer. Initial reports indicated the fire was spotting and moving uphill, with an estimated size of 1.5 acres. While resources on scene confirmed it originated from an old burn pile that’s currently creeping and smoldering, the fire has extended into the surrounding wildland. Fire personnel are actively working to suppress it and will remain on scene to assist with mop-up operations.
Gusty winds and dry conditions in the Mat-Su area still pose a significant risk for rapid fire growth. The Matanuska-Susitna Valley entered a burn permit suspension at 9:00 AM on Saturday, June 21st. This suspension is primarily due to the reallocation of statewide firefighting resources to assist with fires in the interior, with current weather and multiple large fires across the state also contributing factors. A burn permit suspension means no burning of burn barrels, debris piles, or lawn burns. Campfires smaller than 3 feet in diameter for warming, cooking, or signaling are still permitted. However, adequate clearance from combustibles and attendance until the fire is cold to the touch are still required. Any approved fire, even a small one, should be undertaken with extreme caution and vigilance at this time of year.
There are no current evacuations in place for this incident. Please be mindful of fire crews working in the area.
More updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 