Buoyed by high winds, King Fire breaks out along the Glenn

The Alaska Division of Forestry is responding to a second wildfire, in addition to the Moose Creek blaze, near Sutton.

Named the King Fire ,it was called in by a passing motorist on Glenn Highway near Mile 68, about 10 road miles north of the 300-acre Moose Creek Fire that firefighters have been battling for the past three days.

The new fire was reported at 1 p.m. Forestry is responding with engines and a helicopter to drop water on the fire, currently estimated at approximately five acres. The blaze is burning parallel to the highway. Winds in the area are estimated at 20 mph out of the north with reported gusts to 40 mph.

Early indications are that the fire was caused by a downed power line. Personnel from the Matanuska Electric Association are on scene along with firefighters.