McKinley Fire update for Monday, August 26th.

As of Monday afternoon, the McKinley Fire is forty-six percent contained, according to an update released by the incident team.

At noon on Monday, the team announced that evacuation levels were being reduced in areas affected by the fire.  Mileposts 81.5 to 92 were reduced from a Level 3: “Go” evacuation status to Level 2: “Set.”  This means that the area is no longer under an evacuation order, but residents are being advised to be prepared to leave with just a few minutes’ notice in case conditions worsen.

Fire officials say that, while the area is being opened for re-entry, there are still numerous hazards within the fire area, including ash pits and fire-weakened trees that could fall with no notice.

According to Monday morning’s update, Matanuska Electric Association has restored power to the Caswell Lakes area, and is continuing work to restore power to the rest of the area affected by the McKinley Fire.

The Parks Highway opened to two-way traffic on Sunday with a reduced speed limit of 45 miles per hour.   Flaggers will still be present on the highway in the areas where crews are working, and motorists are encouraged to use their headlights while driving through the area of the fire.

The Red Cross still has two shelters in operation, one at the Curtis D. Menard Sports Complex in Wasilla, and one at the Upper Susitna Senior Center near Mile 98 of the Parks Highway, across from Su Valley Junior-Senior High School.  The Red Cross says case workers will be available at the Menard Complex to assist those affected by the fire with assistance and recovery.

Due to the continuing fire danger, Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feige extended the state’s official wildfire season through the end of September.