Reports: truck backfire likely cause for string of Thursday wildfires

WASILLA — Engine backfires from a pickup truck is the suspected cause of a flurry of wildfires reported Thursday afternoon from near Palmer to the Big Lake area.

Scanner traffic indicated the first of four reported blazes came in around 2:30 p.m. near Hemmer Road in Palmer. Within 10-15 minutes, a second call-out was issued for another fire near the roundabout close to Colony High School. Two more pages followed shortly after that in locations near Big Lake.

Area fire departments, including Central Mat-Su, Palmer, and West Lakes joined Alaska Division of Forestry personnel in extinguishing the blazes which were held to about a tenth of an acre each. About 30 firefighters had all fires wrapped up by about 5 p.m., according to Mat-Su deputy fire director Ken Barkley.

Alaska State Troopers eventually tracked down the cause of the blazes after playing a game of catch-up, according to AST officials. Trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters said no citations were issued to the driver of the pickup believed to have started the fires.

With green-up still a ways away, Barkley urged Mat-Su residents to use extreme caution with any kind of open fire.

“Conditions are perfect and with a little wind, we could have a large escapement fire,” Barkley said. “Any fire should be attended and there should be a good supply of water close by.”

Burning permits are required for most fires throughout the borough. They can be obtained at no charge online at https://dnr.alaska.gov/burn/