A new map of the Sockeye Fire near Willow shows it grew modestly on Monday, to 7-point-5-thousand acres. Fire activity was on the northeast and southeast corners of the burn area. The fire has slowed from Sunday when it spread ten miles and burned 6,500 acres. Yesterday, Governor Bill Walker declared a state disaster in response to widespread damage from the Sockeye Fire.
An estimated 25 homes were destroyed Sunday along with some 20 other structures such as sheds and outhouses. Hundreds of people were evacuated and remain unable to return home. Evacuation centers are set up at Houston Middle School, the Wasilla FishHook Bible Camp, and at the Upper Susitna Senior Center near Talkeetna.
The Sockeye fire burning caused hundreds of sled-dogs to be evacuated late Sunday and into Monday. The tight-knit mushing community was able to coordinate a rapid response through Facebook, phone calls and word of mouth. Just a few weeks ago, the Willow Dog Mushers Association re-assessed emergency plans.
Pete Buist, spokesman for the Alaska Interagency coordination Center, says it’s possible that no additional structures were lost Monday.
Today's weather forecast may make it a hard day. Unseasonably warm weather with near record highs, are forecast to continue, with the possibility of thunderstorms in the afternoon, along with gusty winds in the evening. Command of the firefighting response switched at 7 this morning to the Type 1 Incident Management Team. Type 1 teams are deployed to the most complex wildfires, to manage state and federal resources. More than 200 firefighters have been deployed to fight the Sockeye fire, along with airplanes and helicopters.
The Parks Highway was closed Monday afternoon due to increased fire activity, increased smoke and reduced visibility. The Parks Highway is now open with sometimes long delays. The highway is blocked at mile 66.5 and mile 88. Vehicles are escorted by a pilot vehicle through the area. There may be temporary closures.
The Mat-Su Borough Facebook page is being updated regularly. The Borough has set up a call center for the Sockeye Fire for residents to ask questions or hear a recording. That's at 907-861-8326.
The Mat-Su Borough Emergency hotline is 907-761-3700.
You can also find news reports at a "Sockeye Fire" Facebook page.
The Anchorage Fire Department yesterday issued a FULL BURN CLOSURE. They're asking the public to avoid the use of all open fire sources -- including smokers, portable fireplaces and grills. This is to minimize the risk of escaped fire.
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The Anchorage Fire Department yesterday issued a FULL BURN CLOSURE. They're asking the public to avoid the use of all open fire sources -- including smokers, portable fireplaces and grills. This is to minimize the risk of escaped fire.
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A new wildfire takes off near Sterling, on the Kenai Peninsula
By Shady Grove Oliver
A wildfire burning on the central Kenai Peninsula is estimated to have consumed about twelve-hundred acres and destroyed six structures near the community of Sterling. KBBI’s Shady Grove Oliver has more.