Fire update for Sunday, August 25th.

As of Sunday, the McKinley Fire was twenty-eight percent contained, according to the team coordinating efforts to fight the fire.  Increased winds forecast for Saturday remained high in the atmosphere, and did not cause the anticipated complications for firefighters.

Two-way traffic on the Parks Highway resumed early Sunday afternoon with a reduced speed limit.  Matanuska Electric Association reports that it has made significant progress restoring power to the Caswell area.

As of Sunday evening, the Level 3: “Go” evacuation order remained in effect for residences between Mile 81.5 and Mile 92 of the Parks Highway.  A Level 2: “Set” evacuation remains in effect for Mile 79 to Mile 81.5.  A “Set” evacuation notice means residents should be prepared to leave their homes within minutes if the situation worsens.  A Level 1: “Ready” notice was in effect for Mile 76 to Mile 79.  A “Ready” notice means residents should have an evacuation kit and plan prepared.

After the disaster declaration made by Governor Mike Dunleavy on Friday, residents impacted by the fire could be eligible for assistance from the State of Alaska’s individual assistance program.  The program is not designed to help survivors rebuild there homes, but rather provides short-term resources for those who suffered damage or destruction of their homes.  In addition, the Mat-Su Borough has a program that allows property owners whose homes were damaged to have their property value re-assessed for tax purposes.