Fire safely contained off Brianne Lane

WASILLA— A fire broke out Tuesday afternoon near Seward Meridian Parkway, prompting a quick and decisive response from emergency responders who quickly contained the flames with no injuries or property damage.

“We got lucky,” Mat-Su Borough Department of Emergency Services Director Ken Barkley said.

According to Barkley, the fire started around Ruth Drive, spreading to Brianne Lane where tall flames and thick clouds of smoke prompted numerous calls from concerned citizens.

Barkley said that calls started coming in around 3:17 p.m. and crews arrived on the scene within three minutes. Mat-Su Central Fire Department, Palmer Fire and Rescue, and the Alaska Division of Forestry responded to the fire.

“When they got there they could see flames above the trees,” Barkley said.

The fire burned around 1.8 acres total, threatening five homes, according to Barkley. He said firefighters extinguished the flames and established a wet line within 30 to 45 minutes with helicopter assistance.

Barkley said the incident was handled very efficiently with minimal impact.

“I think it was great teamwork between agencies, and it just showed our training paid off because we train together, work together, and it just worked seamlessly,” Barkley said.

“We just had the right resources positioned and a quick response from different agencies,” Barkley said.

The Division of Forestry is currently investigating the cause of the fire.

Barkley said the dry, hot, and windy conditions were a perfect recipe for a roaring and fast moving fire.

“It’s just a mixture for disaster. That’s why we can’t stress enough to folks if they’re burning, using burn barrels or anything like that, they gotta be able to monitor it, have water on site, and make sure it’s out before they walk away for the day. You don’t want to put your neighbors or yourself at risk,” Barkley said.

This is a developing story. Continue to see Frontiersman.com for additional coverage.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com