Blaze grows rapidly in 1st hours

WILLOW — The log below represents a selection of items taken from live reporting conducted on the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman website and Facebook page documenting the rise of the fire Sunday evening and Monday morning. The chronology is taken from radio dispatches and online updates.

Sunday, June 14

1:15 p.m. — A forest fire was reported along Sockeye Avenue north of Kashwitna Lake about 1:15 p.m. Sunday. Officials do not yet know what caused the fire. The initial fire size was reported as two acres, rapidly increased to 80, then 100 acres.

4 p.m. — The fire had increased in size to 200 acres. The fire is reported to have crossed the Parks Highway, which is subsequently closed.

4:34 p.m. — Officials begin to suggest voluntary evacuations for neighborhoods south of the fire. The first evacuation center is established at Willow Community Center.

5:17 p.m. — Officials first estimate the size of the fire to be 1,000 acres.

6 p.m. — Power lines along the Parks were shut off by Matanuska Electric Association.

8 p.m. — Drivers into the fire zone from the north end, and are promptly urged to turn back to Talkeetna for the night.

8:06 p.m. — Officials announce a temporary shelter has been established for those trapped at the north end of the fire in Talkeetna.

8:10 p.m. — Motorists along Willow Fishhook reported to be trapped in an area of heavy smoke. Officials briefly considered moving them over the top of Hatcher Pass, before deciding against it.

8:21 p.m. — Officials expand the voluntary evacuation zone from Sharen Drive to Deshka Landing.

8:25 p.m. — Officials expand the evacuation of Willow as far south as the Nancy Lake Parkway.

8:29 p.m. — Officials focused evacuations along the Willow Creek Parkway.

8:39 p.m. — Emergency personnel begin the evacuation of the Willow Creek Senior Center. All but non-critical patients are transported to the shelter at the Willow Community Center.

8:46 p.m. — Willow Creek Senior Center is completely evacuated. Officials estimate the fire is 1,800 acres.

8:56 p.m. — Officials order the evacuation of Willow Creek Community Center. Evacuees are moved to Houston Middle School.

9:16 p.m. — The fire crosses the Willow Creek Parkway.

9:21 p.m. — Officials order the removal of equipment from rural fire station 12-3. Equipment is later also moved out of 12-1, though both stations aren’t in immediate danger, officials say later.

10:30 p.m. — An estimate on the size of the fire puts it at 4,183 acres.

Monday, June 15

12:30 a.m. — Officials put the size of the fire at 6,500 acres, where it will remain for the rest of the day Monday.

2 a.m. — The Parks Highway reopens to one lane alternating traffic under the guidance of troopers and a pilot car. Closures occur sporadically throughout the day.

9:55 a.m.— Increasing humidity is reported to have stymied the fire’s growth.

12:22 a.m. — Officials hold a press conference in the borough assembly to discuss progress on the fire so far.

4 p.m. — Managers are briefed in on the state of the fire

5 p.m. — Gov. Bill Walker declares the area a disaster area.

6:37 p.m. — A firefighter is reported injured at the northern part of the fire, roughly Mile 77, Parks Highway.

6:45 p.m. — Officials order the evacuation of the Sheep Creek subdivision at about Mile 88, Parks Highway, citing a northward push to the fire. Firefighters stage nearby.