Upper Susitna residents and fellow Alaskans helping McKinley Fire victims rebuild

WILLOW — More than 50 homes in the Upper Susitna area were destroyed by the McKinley Fire in August of 2019, prompting wave after wave of philanthropy from individuals, families, nonprofits and business owners donating their time, energy and resources to help rebuild from the ashes.

It’s been nearly a year since the wildfire was put out but the ceaseless stream of support hasn’t faltered.

The McKinley Fire started around Mile 91 of the Parks Highway Aug. 17, 2019, ultimately incinerating 52 primary residences, three commercial structures and 84 outbuildings (like sheds and garages) within days, according to data from the Alaska Wildland Fire Information website.

Kyra Workman and her family live near Mile 91. She said they were lucky enough to avoid any fire damage, but many others did not have the same luck. That’s why she makes weekly efforts to support fire victims in a variety of ways, namely bringing them food and supplies on a regular basis.

Workman has been working with volunteers like Rosie Stauffer and numerous others for several months to help people wherever they can.

Workman said that she’s known Stauffer for many years through her work as a substitute teacher in the Mat-Su Borough School District. They bring anything from blankets to kitchen items.

“They all have different needs,” Workman said. “I know the biggest thing is going to be building materials right now.”

Stauffer said there’s numerous work sites composed of friendly neighbors and volunteer groups currently rebuilding homes in the area. She said the COVID-19 situation has made the process more difficult, but they’re slowly getting more people to pitch in.

“They’re all building homes together… They just all share,” Stauffer said.

Local businesses like Sheep Lodge and Willow True Value Hardware have donated a lot of materials and other resources to the rebuild process, according to Workman. She noted that Alcan Electric and Graybar Electrical Supply donated power boxes and other materials as well.

“I think it’s awesome,” Workman said.

Workman and her family have had property near Mile 91 for over 15 years and moved to the area permanently last year. She said despite the common desire to be left alone, “everybody’s really nice.”

“We have a lot of memories out here,” Workman said.

During the McKinley Fire, numerous neighbors helped each other out, even if they themselves were being affected by the flames, according to Workman. She said that a number of neighbors stayed behind to douse the flames as fire crews made their way there.

“It was pretty awesome how they were working like 24 hours a day helping people,” Workman said. “I think they were out there for hours throwing water in whatever they could.”

Workman said that she and her girls brought food out to people on several occasions on their four-wheelers. She said they love to help out.

United Way of Mat-Su has offered aid to McKinley fire victims in a variety of ways since the outset. They even formed a task force called the McKinley Fire Long Term Recovery Group, which asks community members to volunteer for a number of tasks that will help survivors return to their normal living conditions.

The McKinley Fire Long Term Recovery Group anticipates a busy summer of assisting McKinley Fire survivors in rebuilding their homes, according to United Way’s website. They indicated volunteers will be needed throughout the summer and into fall.

For more information, call 907-745-5824, email admin@unitedwaymatsu.org, or visit unitedwaymatsu.org/uwms/help-mckinley-fire-survivors-rebuild-this-summer.

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

United Way of Mat-Su invites the public to volunteer their time to support McKinley Fire victims with various tasks such as:

preparing properties for building to begin

basic framing, carpentry and home construction

landscaping and yardwork

staffing our donations warehouse

flooring installation

helping families move appliances and furniture into new homes