Moose Creek Fire now at forty-six percent containment

The Moose Creek wildfire between Palmer and Sutton is now forty-six percent contained, according to the Alaska Division of Forestry, and that number is expected to continue upward.

On Tuesday, officials had expressed hope that calmer winds would make fighting the 303-acre wildfire less difficult. That appears to have happened, and Incident Commander Phil Blydenburgh says firefighters were no longer forced to “chase” the fire, and were able to start holding it in place.

The Division of Forestry says the fire was mainly smoldering and creeping on Tuesday, with some open flames and tree “torching” in the interior. Blydenburgh expects the containment percentage to continue to rise as firefighters use hoses, engines, and bulldozers to ensure the wildfire doesn’t spread.

The Moose Creek fire started over the weekend and grew to over 300 acres. At its peak, more than ninety personnel were involved in the effort to extinguish the fire. Some resources are now being demobilized as crews come closer to full containment.