UPDATE: The Alaska Department of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal and Alaska State Troopers are working with the Alaska Division of Forestry and Matanuska Susitna Borough to determine the exact level of damage.
The two large wildfires that began this weekend in the Mat-Su continued to burn on Monday.
The McKinley Fire, burning on both sides of the Parks Highway, is now estimated at 3,000 acres. As of Monday morning, it is estimated that at least fifty structures have been destroyed. The Alaska Fire Marshal’s Office and the Red Cross are working to determine the exact level of damage.
As of Monday evening, the evacuation zone from Mile 82 to Mile 91 of the Parks Highway remains in effect. Shelters remain open at the Upper Susitna Senior Center and the Menard Sports Complex.
Traffic is being stopped at Helena Drive just south of Mile 99 in the North and Willow Fishhook Road, just north of Mile 71 in the south. Pilot cars have been leading motorists through the fire zone, but officials encourage everyone to avoid driving through the area unless necessary. Re-entry is not being allowed for evacuated residents, and officials say motorists must follow pilot cars.
The Mat-Su Borough has set up a call center for residents of the evacuation area who have left, as well as for those who have a relative living in the evacuation area whom they have not heard from. The number is 907-861-8326.
As of Monday morning, the Deshka Landing Fire, fifteen miles south of the McKinley Fire, was estimated at 1800 acres. The number of firefighters assigned to Deshka Landing has increased to more than 100, in addition to multiple aircraft. Priorities for firefighters are structure protection in the area of Red Shirt Lake and preventing the fire from crossing Long Lake Road, where there are cabins and subdivisions.
Other than this website and our Facebook Page, you can find information on the ongoing fires at:
AKFireInfo.com – Official updates from the Alaska Division of Forestry
Alaska Division of Forestry on Facebook – – Official updates from the Alaska Division of Forestry
Mat-Su Borough on Facebook – Official updates from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Alaska 511 – Official updates on highway status
Nixle – A service that sends text messages and/or emails relating to public safety. During this event it has been used to announce evacuations and highway closures/openings.
