Thursday evening Susitna Valley fire update

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According to Celeste Prescott, Public Information Officer at the Sockeye Fire Incident Command Center, officials are considering making the evacuation zone fore the 7,555 acre wildfire smaller. She says the decision has not been finalized, and the current evacuation zone of Mile 63 to Mile 78.5 of the Parks Highway is still in effect.

Also, the Mat-Su Borough is compiling information from inside the Sockeye Fire zone and preparing to release more detailed information on structures lost and damaged. Property owners can call 861-8326 with their name, phone number, and address to receive information on their property once it’s available, according to Prescott.

Celeste Prescott says that the staff at the command post is “shocked and surprised” at the slow growth of the Sockeye Fire on Wednesday. She says part of that is attributable to luck, but most of it comes down to the hard work of the firefighters on the front lines.

While there is progress being made, high temperatures will mean continued fire danger. Celeste Prescott says that anyone who sees a new fire is encouraged to call it in to the Division of Forestry at 1-800-237-3633 or call 911. She says that a report that turns out to be nothing is preferable to missing a new fire in its early stages.

There is no change in the status of the Montana Creek fires. They are still considered “contained,” but are not completely out, yet. There is a fire in the Canyon Creek area of the Talkeetna Mountains that is being monitored. Retardant has been dropped around one cabin that was in the area, and it continues to be monitored from the air.

More information is expected late Thursday morning.