Matanuska-Susitna Borough

Current Status of Mat-Su Wildfires

Mat-Su | MSB Emergency Management | Sunday, August 18, 2019

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There is a lot happening here. The most current updates are on our Facebook Page.

 

8/18 10:45am —

From Alaska State Division of Forestry: https://akfireinfo.com/

Deshka Fire Update:

This is an update for property owners at Red Shirt Lake and the surrounding area.

As of this morning, the Division of Forestry has informed me that the Deshka Fire near Nancy Lake State Recreation Area is still actively burning, but has been held near Rolly Creek approximately ½ mile from South Rolly campground. Weather forecasts are forecasting that the winds will pick up again today so therefore people currently at Red Shirt Lake and the surrounding areas are instructed to evacuate the area out of an abundance of caution.

Nancy Lake Parkway will be closed at mile 2.2 (the Winter trailhead) to prevent people from going into the fire area and to allow firefighting crews to bring equipment in. Individuals should be able to hike out from Red Shirt lake on the Red Shirt Lake trail and access parked cars at the Red Shirt Lake trailhead. Vehicles will be able to leave the park at the barricades at mile 2.2.

The Lynx Lake gate at mile 4 of Lynx Lake Rd. will be unlocked and open to allow individuals to leave the Lynx Lake and Butterfly Lake areas.

Please begin moving out of the area until the Division of Forestry can contain the fire.

Additional updates will be made as they become available.

8/18, 7:45am — 

McKinley Fire Update:
Conditions are expected to worsen today, please avoid the Parks Highway between miles 87 and 94. The Parks Highway will be closed intermittently throughout the day by the Alaska State Troopers.
A Forestry type 2 team is arriving today. Both Red Cross emergency evacuation centers - Upper Su Senior Center and Willow Community Center - remain open as shelters to assist those displaced by the McKinley Fire.
As of this morning, no structures have been lost. More updates to follow.
 
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As of 10:00pm these are the wildland fires in the Mat-Su Borough, and their status:

  1. McKinley Fire (Mi. 91 Parks | Wild Bill Way)
    Uncontained - Evacuation

  2. Pittman Fire (Carriage Lane)
    Uncontained - Resources on scene

  3. Mi. 90 Parks Fire
    Contained

  4. Lucky Shot Trail Fire (Willow)
    Contained

  5. Finger Lake Fire
    Controlled

  6. Hock Lake
    Fire Out

  7. Deska Landing
    Uncontained

 

 

There have also been two structure fires (house fires) one in Talkeetna one in Wasilla, both have been extinguished.

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