Firefighters face windy, cold conditions while attempting to contain Moose Creek Fire

Mat-Su Valley Firefighters spent the weekend battling a fire that has spread to more than 300 acres near Sutton.

The late-season fire was reported as twenty-five percent contained as of Sunday afternoon, according to Mat-Su Borough Public Information Officer Patty Sullivan. Cold, dry conditions have made containing the fire, known officially as the Moose Creek Fire, more difficult. According to the Alaska Division of Forestry, firefighters faced temperatures below freezing and significant wind chill, with gusts up to forty miles-per-hour.

In addition to driving the Moose Creek Fire, winds have also started at least two small fires of their own. The Alaska Division of Forestry says on its AK Fire Info website that power lines downed by the gusty weather started a pair of small grass fires Sunday afternoon.

On Monday morning the Alaska Division of Forestry announced on its Facebook page that the Glenn Highway would be closed for about half an hour while a fire line was bulldozed to protect the road. The post says flames had reached within about seventy-five feet of the highway early Monday morning.

As of Sunday, approximately fifty firefighters from multiple agencies were working on containing the Moose Creek Fire.