During the Montana Creek Fire that began in late June, one person died in a separate structure fire on July 2nd. Both fires had the same origin site on Dog Sled Drive.
Theories abound, but the Alaska Department of Public Safety Communications Director Austin McDaniel says there is no foul play suspected in the death. The State Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet completed the autopsy report, though did confirm the victim is 54-year-old Talkeetna resident Gordon Chalkley. The origin of the structure fire is confirmed to be unrelated to the wildfire. However, the cause remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The structure was a small cabin with no power or water. Multiple people were living on the property at the time of both the wildfire and structure fire. The property owner was sleeping in an RV on site and called 9-1-1 to report the fire in the early morning hours of July 2nd. McDaniel was unable to speak to what other State Trooper Units, if any, responded to assist with the investigation. Though he did confirm that the State Fire Marshal’s Office is the primary Unit investigating the incident.
A vehicle fire on the Dog Sled Drive property sparked the Montana Creek wildfire, which jumped to nearby dead spruces and later burned more than 150 acres. Residents on adjacent streets were in the SET status for days, creating defensible spaces around their homes. It took about two weeks for the wildfire to be completely contained.
