51 homes burned in McKinley Fire

WILLOW — The total number of structures lost in the McKinley Fire is in triple digits.

The wind-aided fire that sparked Aug. 17 claimed 51 homes, approximately 80 outbuildings and three businesses, according to Interagency Incident Management Team Information Manager Kale Casey.

Casey said that he was in awe of the footage he saw on the front lines of the fire where flames shot up over 100 feet high from bark beetle kill spruce. Regional Communications Officer with the Red Cross Cari Dighton said that the Red Cross will be conducting training beginning on Aug. 23 and continuing through the weekend for volunteers who would like to help with the relief effort.

This is a developing story. Continue to see frontiersman.com for more.