Small wildfire extinguished near Matanuska Lake

WASILLA — Crews kept a small wildfire early Monday morning from spreading too far from the shores of Matanuska Lake.

Crews from the Palmer Fire Department, Alaska Division of Forestry and Central Mat-Su Fire Department doused the blaze, which was reported at around 2:30 a.m. The fire burned 1.3 acres before it was extinguished.

Division of Forestry public information officer Sarah Saarloos said the fire occurred at time when the wind was calm, which helped keep it from becoming a bigger concern.

“If there was wind it definitely would have been bigger,” Saarloos said.

Windy conditions are expected Monday and Tuesday in the Mat-Su, which means residents should be extra careful with any kind of burning.

“It’s supposed to be pretty windy,” she said.

Burn permits and burn barrels are currently suspended, but camping and warming fires smaller than three feet in diameter are allowed.

Saarloos said the cause of the fire is under investigation, but initial indications were that it could have been caused by a campfire that escaped into nearby grass and brush.

“It’s just a reminder that we need people to take care of their campfires,” she said.