A wildfire has led to the evacuation of Rainy Pass Lodge.
According to the Alaska Division of Forestry, the fire was reported shortly after 8:00 pm on Tuesday. A lightning strike is believed to have started the fire. It was initially estimated between three and five acres in size. Tanker planes, which were instrumental in the initial attack on the Montana Creek and Malaspina Fires near Talkeetna, were not able to reach the area due to poor weather conditions.
As the fire grew rapidly, twenty-six employees and guests were evacuated by Blackhawk helicopter to Anchorage. Twenty horses at the lodge were released. Three Forestry firefighters were flown in on Tuesday night in an attempt to protect the lodge.
By Wednesday morning, the Rainy Pass Fire had grown to an estimated 120 acres.
In addition to being a hunting lodge, Rainy Pass Lodge is a checkpoint on the Iditarod Trail.
