Kahiltna fire now 100 percent contained

A 56-acre wildfire started by lightning on Sunday night near the Kahiltna River northwest of Wasilla is now 100 percent contained, according to Alaska Department of Forestry officials.

Forestry firefighters joined forces with those from Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service to the Kahiltna Fire Sunday night after it was reported by local pilots. The fire was located about 80 miles northwest of Wasilla and 28 miles west of the Parks Highway near Trapper Creek.

With the help of multiple retardant drops and substantial rain, firefighters were able to secure most of the fire perimeter by late Sunday night. According to ADF, firefighters spent the next two days working to fully contain the fire. The blaze was declared 100 percent contained as of 8 p.m. Tuesday as light precipitation peppered the region.

ADF officials stated 27 Department firefighters remained on scene searching for hot spots and mopping up. Eight BLMAFS smokejumpers were released from the fire on Tuesday morning. ADF’s tentative plan as of yesterday was to demobilize the remaining firefighters by Friday.