Evacuees at Menard Sports Center wait anxiously as the McKinley and Deshka wildfires rage on

WASILLA — Evacuees fleeing the McKinley and Deshka wildfires are still cycling through the American Red Cross disaster relief shelter at the Menard Sports Center, averaging around 60 people total onsite, according to Mat-Su American Red Cross Public Information Officer Connie Black.

Black said that representatives from the Alaska Division of Forestry and Mat-Su Emergency Services have been stopping by to update residents on the fires.

“A lot of the residents are online, looking at Facebook, looking at the updates anyway. Because, we’ve been telling them where to go and what to look at to keep up to date,” Black said.

Some new people arrived while others left the Menard Center. Black said that there’s still plenty of food, water and other supplies left for displaced residents onsite.

“We’re still here. We’ll be open and available for residents that need a place to go. And as long as there’s a sufficient amount of people to be at this location, we’ll remain here… That’s why we’re here. It’s still an active fire, anything can change,” Black said.

Black noted that utilizing the Menard Center is ideal because they aren’t impacting public schools. She said they normally set up at schools so it’s nice not to disrupt any students.

“Because normally, it would up somewhere like Houston,” Black said.

Wayne and Cendy Magnuson, amongst dozens of other evacuees, had to move from the Willow Community Center to the Menard Center over the weekend. They arrived at the Menard Sunday evening.

“It’s traumatic for me,” Cendy said.

Their home is about three miles east of the fire. They’ve been getting updates from a friend who’s currently patrolling for looters.

“This stuff changes from minute to minute. It’s still totally uncontrolled,” Wayne said.

Cendy said the uncertainty of their home’s condition is wearing on her. Wayne pointed out that feeling is commonplace around the shelter. He said that many of the residents who lost their homes didn’t have fire insurance.

“A lot of depression, you know?” Wayne said.

Cendy took a moment to acknowledge all the people fighting the fire and working to help the residents. She thanked all the firefighters, troopers, and other first responders and she also thanked the National Guard and Gov. Mike Dunleavy for sending them. She said that she was especially thankful for the Red Cross for their hospitality and support through this tough time.

“They’re just doing an amazing job,” Cendy said.

Cendy said that her number one hope is that no one perishes in the chaotic flames.

“If we have not lost a life in this, we have won not the fire… that’s how I feel about it,” Cendy said. “There is hope. We will get through this.”

Renee Shinton attended to her group of sled dogs, camped out in the parking lot. She’s still has no idea if she’s going to have a home to return to when the flames are finally extinguished. She said she’s crossing her fingers.

“Home away from I don’t know if I have a home,” Shinton said.