20 plus acre fire growing off Millers Reach

4:12 pm, Sunday—A 20-plus-acre fire off the end of Millers Reach Road, in four-wheeler terrain, is moving east in dry conditions and steady winds. No homes are immediately threatened. Alaska Dept. of Forestry and Matanuska-Susitna Borough firefighters have been on scene since about 1:41 pm trying to suppress the fire. A request for four tankers and four engines from Borough fire departments was made late afternoon.

Three dozers are attempting to prevent fire growth but shifting winds are combating the effort. Cool temperatures are expected to help slow the fire tonight. Gusty winds in the forecast over the next few days are also expected. Conditions are unseasonably dry. This is the second forest fire of the weekend, and third sizeable fire this weekend if you include a commercial business fire. 

This fire is at the end of Millers Reach Road, west off the Parks Highway near mile 56. Location is 2.4 miles northwest of Rogers Road, due north of Blanket Lake and northeast of Horseshoe Lake, located between Pear Lake and a subdivision at the end of Millers Reach Road. The fire is moving east away from the mentioned subdivision.
Winds are 10-15 mph with gusts to 20 mph.
A column of smoke is visible.
 
Photo taken from Millers Reach Road by Director of Emergency Services Bill Gamble.