Lazy Mountain fire burns about 6 acres

PALMER — Firefighters from Butte Fire Department and the Alaska Division of Forestry fought a fire on Lazy Mountain off Helmaur Place on Friday night in windy conditions that threatened to push the fire out of control.

“And then it really kicked up,” said Peter Hoople, who witnessed the scene.

He said he and his wife, Sally, counted 17 fire vehicles on scene carrying 30 responders to battle the flames coursing through the treetops.

Crews’ quick response limited the burn to 6.4 acres, a mix of hayfield and forest.

“I was incredibly impressed with the fire crews,” Hopple said. “They did a spectacular job.”

Rob Larson, from the state Division of Forestry, said the fire was difficult to see at first as it burned over a hill just out of sight

Helicopters were called in to drop water on the flames. Once the fire crews gained control, Larson said he sent the “structural guys” (Butte and Palmer fire departments) back to their stations and state crews remained to mop up.

Saturday morning, members of the Gannett Glacier hotshot crew and an 850-gallon pumper truck were still at site for mop up. Firefighters cleared out scorched logs and trees, searched for smoldering embers, and rolled up hoses.

Officials are uncertain exactly how the fire began, but they suspect a power line may have contacted nearby trees.

Firefighters remind Valley residents that the fire season started out dry and warm. Fire can ignite from many sources, and people should be on the lookout and report all suspicious smoke and fire immediately.