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… Read More ›
Alaska Division of Forestry
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… Read More ›
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… Read More ›
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… Read More ›
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…. Read More ›
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… Read More ›
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… Read More ›
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… Read More ›
Swan Lake Fire continues to put up smoke along Sterling Highway; fire weather watch issued through Saturday
A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for the Swan Lake Fire area from 4 p.m. today through Saturday evening for hot, dry, and windy conditions. A Fire Weather Watch is an alert to firefighters and land managers to the… Read More ›
Cloud cover moderates fire activity on Swan Lake Fire
Cloud cover throughout the operational period yesterday once again moderated fire behavior on the 102,548-acre Swan Lake Fire burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge despite strong winds from the south. Interior islands of green fuels continued to burn out… Read More ›