Evacuation notice widens as Willow fire threatens homes

[Blue_In_AK]

Source: Alaska Dispatch News

Update, 4:45 p.m.: Matanuska-Susitna Borough officials say they can't confirm reports that two homes have been destroyed in a fire that started Sunday afternoon north of Willow. An evacuation notice has been issued for both sides of the Parks Highway south of Sharen Drive to the Willow community.

The Red Cross has established a shelter at the Willow Community Center, located at Mile 67.9 of the highway, according to Beth Bennett, communications officer with the organization. Only a couple of people were there around 4:30 p.m., but she said the facility is set up to accommodate 60 people.

Given the mushing presence in the area, the Red Cross is also allowing pets to be brought to the shelter, provided they have kennels or tie-outs and enough food and water to last for several days. The Red Cross is coordinating with another organization to take in additional animals if too many are showing up at the shelter.

"That's actually topic No. 1 right now, is how do we handle all of the animals," Bennett said.


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Read more: http://www.adn.com/article/20150614/evacuation-notice-widens-willow-fire-threatens-homes

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Please send good thoughts our way. This is a populated area, and given the severity of last year's Funny River fire, quite worrisome. This fire has increased in size from 30 to 200 acres in a couple of hours.

Ed. As of just now, the fire has increased to 500 acres on both sides of the highway. The highway is closed between Mile 71 and Mile 77.

[Jumpin Jack Flash]

1. This is in your neighborhood?

Good vibes and lots of crazy rains should be moved up north from where we are!

[Blue_In_AK]

2. Not my neighborhood,

up the highway about 90 miles, but it is a populated area and, depending on how the wind blows, could impact a lot of people. It's almost 80 here today and sunny. There won't be rain for at least a week.

[uppityperson]

3. Wildfires are no fun for anyone, best wishes to all and their dogs and the wild life. 500 acres

https://www.adn.com/article/20150614/fire-erupts-near-willow-jumps-highway-threatens-structures

[likesmountains 52]

4. So sorry..went through this in SW CO in 2002

Hope the firefighters can gain control and are all safe.

[Hekate]

5. Best wishes to you from SoCal. Wildfires are scary shit. nt

[Blue_In_AK]

6. Now 1800 acres.

Evacuation area expanded.

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

7. Is there aircraft to drop retardant?

Last edited Mon Jun 15, 2015, 02:09 AM - Edit history (1)

How do they try to control it up there? Is having fire safe/fuel reduction zones around you home promoted there?
(Edit, now that I read your link the questions are answered.)

Best wishes to all,
ADW

[Blue_In_AK]

10. Here's the latest on what's been deployed

http://www.adn.com/article/20150614/fast-moving-wildfire-advances-willow-residents-flee

The response grew concurrently. A retardant-dispersing tanker aircraft from Palmer was joined by one from Fairbanks, along with several water-scooping aircraft, according to Mowry. A water-dumping helicopter was assisted by another from the Kenai Peninsula within about an hour of the initial report.

Numerous other agencies were assisting as well. A post on the Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s Facebook page read like a shopping list of emergency response equipment:

“The National Guard is assisting with three blackhawks.

“Four Alaska crews are routed to scene.

“5 helicopters. A Type II emergency response team is being assembled.

“5 Hot Shot crews from the Lower 48 have been ordered.

“Anchorage is sending two engines, Chugiak Fire is assisting.”

That type 2 emergency response team had been upgraded to type 1 by the end of the night, an uptick in the scale of response and the efforts to manage the fire.

[alboe]

8. Keep us updated! Stay safe!

Sending good thoughts to everyone up there from California

[Blue_In_AK]

9. 4,183 acres.

[madokie]

11. One of my brothers and his wife

grandson and girlfriend are up in Alaska vacationing right now. He didn't mention this when I talked to him yesterday and I have no idea as where in Alaska they are. Hopefully no where near there. They flew up then rented a car and are driving around the state some. This will put him in all 50 states and his wife in all but Hawaii. He was in the navy and thats why he was in Hawaii and she hasn't been. They like to travel and see new places. Me I'm right the opposite I want to stay home

[Blue_In_AK]

12. I like staying home, too. :)

It's a big state and depending on where they are, they might not have a problem with this, although it is along the main route from Anchorage to Fairbanks, one of only nine highways in the state. Here's the latest news report.



http://www.adn.com/article/20150615/officials-assessing-damage-willow-area-fast-moving-sockeye-fire

Officials were in the Willow area Monday trying to determine the extent of damage from the Sockeye Fire, which scorched a destructive path through the area, while the fire continues burning into a second day, heading south.

Matanuska-Susitna Borough officials were conducting an on-the-ground assessment early Monday to how much damage the fire had caused. Sunday evening the borough estimated that 10 to 15 structures had burned. Officials Monday morning couldn't immediately confirm how many additional structures were destroyed, but expected that number to grow, and hoped to have a new estimate by noon.

An ever-expanding 15-mile evacuation corridor runs along the Parks Highway from north of Willow down to the Nancy Lakes area, with some 1,700 residential structures inside its perimeter, according to an update posted early Monday by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Alaska Division of Forestry, which administers the state’s firefighting forces.

As of late Sunday evening, the fire estimated at 6,500 acres was burning on both sides of the Parks Highway, running due south. As of midnight, the fire had reached the Crystal Lakes Road subdivision.

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[madokie]

13. Just got text from him and there heading to Mt. McKinley

today. I've been to Alaska 4 times but that was on my way to and from 'Nam

[Blue_In_AK]

14. Depending on where they're coming from,

they might have to take the Richardson Highway instead of the Parks and cut across on the Denali Highway, which is about 100 unpaved but very beautiful miles. If they're in Fairbanks, they won't have a problem. This fire is north of Wasilla about 50 miles.

[madokie]

16. I'm not sure

I've been under the weather the last few days and haven't been keeping up like I normally will. The unpaved roads and beautiful scenery will be right up their alley. He did say there is a lot of road construction going on but I would think that in Alaska with the weather you all have that would be pretty common. I don't know, as all of Alaska is from one plane to the next.

[Blue_In_AK]

15. Heartbreaking...

Posted on FB with heading "our home," the home of Iditarod musher Jan Steves. We have also heard that Iditarod veteran DeeDee Jonrowe's home has burned to the ground. All of her sled dogs are safe, but she did lose a family pet dog and several chickens in the fire.