Wildland Fire season begins

Six new wildland fires were reported and attended to in the Mat Su area over the weekend. One was caused by a fire escaping a burn barrel, another was a burn pile out of control and another was caused by a spark from farm equipment.  The Lou Young fire at the end of Point MacKenzie road required a load of retardent to be dropped.

All fires were under 5 acres and have been declared ‘Out’.

The Division of Forestry received a call in the Kantishna area on Saturday from a pilot about smoke in the area.  Upon arrival, it was reported that over 2 acres were burning in grassland. The fire was staffed immediately with 14 personnel and on Sunday, 3 more personnel joined the effort. By the end of the day, they called the fire contained.  The fire is believed to have been a carry over from last years’ Railbelt Complex fire.  The lightning caused fire last year might have smoldered through the winter and become active again.  The fire remains staffed, even though they say it’s contained.