Calmer weather and aerial support helped firefighters gain ground in taming the Deshka Landing Fire (#736) on Monday, according to the Alaska Division of Forestry. The fire, estimated at 2,217 acres as of Monday afternoon, did not show significant growth on Monday, in large part because high winds from the previous day subsided and allowed […]
Continue reading
Archive by Author
Lighter winds, air support aid firefighters battling Deshka Landing Fire
August 19, 2019 
Comments Off on Lighter winds, air support aid firefighters battling Deshka Landing Fire
Deshka Landing Fire estimated at 1,800 acres; air tankers and helicopters making retardant and water drops
August 19, 2019 Comments Off on Deshka Landing Fire estimated at 1,800 acres; air tankers and helicopters making retardant and water drops
The Deshka Landing Fire (#736) was estimated at 1,800 acres as of Monday morning and firefighters are working to protect cabins on Red Shirt Lake should the fire reach that far south. Air tankers are currently making strategic retardant drops around the perimeter of the fire to create containment lines to help slow the spread […]
Continue reading McKinley Fire update: Fire still burning on both sides of Parks Highway; evacuations still in effect
August 19, 2019 Comments Off on McKinley Fire update: Fire still burning on both sides of Parks Highway; evacuations still in effect
The McKinley Fire (#738) is currently estimated at approximately 3,000 acres and the Alaska Division of Forestry is still working to contain active fire on both sides of the Parks Highway between miles 86 to 91. The Parks Highway is currently open to one-lane traffic with pilot cars leading vehicles through the fire area from […]
Continue readingParks Highway Update 8 a.m.: Road open to one-lane traffic with pilot cars but could close at any point
August 19, 2019 Comments Off on Parks Highway Update 8 a.m.: Road open to one-lane traffic with pilot cars but could close at any point
PARkS HIGHWAY UPDATE 8 A.M. The Parks Highway is currently open to one-lane traffic with pilot cars between mileposts 71 and 99. Motorists should expect long delays and be aware that the road could be closed at any point due to ongoing fire activity on the McKinley Fire. Please be patient and drive carefully. There […]
Continue reading McKinley Fire burns at least 50 structures; Parks Highway remains closed
August 18, 2019 Comments Off on McKinley Fire burns at least 50 structures; Parks Highway remains closed
A dramatic increase in fire intensity on the McKinley Fire near Mile 88 of the Parks Highway on Sunday afternoon resulted in the loss of at least 50 structures as firefighters and other emergency responders worked furiously to evacuate and rescue residents threatened by the fire. A smoke plume from the McKinley Fire burning along […]
Continue readingDeshka Landing Fire growing in size and intensity; firefighters pull back to protect structures
August 18, 2019 Comments Off on Deshka Landing Fire growing in size and intensity; firefighters pull back to protect structures
Due to increased fire activity and concern for firefighter safety, firefighters working on the Deshka Landing Fire (#736) are pulling back and focusing on protecting cabins on Red Shirt Lake and securing the eastern edge of the fire so it doesn’t make a push toward subdivisions on Long Lake Road, according to the Alaska Division […]
Continue reading Evacuations ordered for both sides of Parks Highway from mileposts 82 to 91 after McKinley Fire jumps, closes road
August 18, 2019 Comments Off on Evacuations ordered for both sides of Parks Highway from mileposts 82 to 91 after McKinley Fire jumps, closes road
The McKinley Fire (#738) has jumped from the east to the west side the Parks Highway near Mile 88 and the Alaska Division of Forestry has ordered an evacuation for both sides of the highway from mileposts 82 to 91. All residents in that area should leave their homes immediately. Additional evacuations are anticipated and […]
Continue reading State forestry still working to contain wildfires near Talkeetna and Willow; no structures lost, evacuations in place, highway open
August 18, 2019 Comments Off on State forestry still working to contain wildfires near Talkeetna and Willow; no structures lost, evacuations in place, highway open
More firefighters have arrived to help the Alaska Division of Forestry work on containing two wildfires burning about 20 miles apart on opposite sides of the Parks Highway near Willow and Talkeetna. The McKinley Fire (#738) is burning near Mile 91 on the east side of the Parks Highway while the Deshka Landing Fire (#736) […]
Continue reading Parks Highway re-opened as state forestry battles two wildfires in Mat-Su Valley
August 17, 2019 Comments Off on Parks Highway re-opened as state forestry battles two wildfires in Mat-Su Valley
10 p.m. Update – This will be the final update of the evening. For highway information, go to 511.Alaska.gov. Firefighters continue to work furiously to contain two wildfires burning about 20 miles apart on the opposite side of the Parks Highway, one of which temporarily closed the highway between mileposts 88 to 93. As of […]
Continue reading Crow Pass Fire perks up with warm weather; Steeple Fire put to bed
August 16, 2019 Comments Off on Crow Pass Fire perks up with warm weather; Steeple Fire put to bed
Given the warm, dry weather that has persisted in Southcentral Alaska, the Division of Forestry’s Mat-Su Area office continues to keep an eye on two small wildfires that started last week near Eagle River. State forestry received multiple calls about increased activity and smoke from the Crow Pass Fire (#713) on Thursday. The fire is […]
Continue reading
