Wildfire in the Point MacKenzie area grows to 120 acres

A wildfire in the Point MacKenzie area grew to 120 acres Thursday.

The fire was reported just before 4 p.m. Wednesday near South Trumpeter Drive and West New Homesteader Avenue, about a mile north of West Point MacKenzie Road.

In their initial report, forestry officials said the fire grew rapidly in dry grass and was aided by a light breeze.

"Given the fact there was no lightning reported in the area, the fire is believed to be human caused and is under investigation. Fire investigators are still searching for the fire’s point of origin," forestry officials said in an update Thursday.

As of Thursday afternoon, Alaska Division of Forestry officials said the fire is 25 percent contained in an update. About 50 forestry firefighters are working to increase containment. The Palmer-based Pioneer Peak Hotshots and Gannett Glacier Crew responded to the fire, in addition to firefighters from the Mat-Su Area Forestry office. Helicopters were used to drop water on the fire.

“Firefighters are making good progress getting a hose line around the perimeter of the Trumpeter Fire,” forestry officials said in an update late Wednesday night. “Structure protection measures have been put in place for the once structure threatened on South Michael Way and a structure protection group has been established to assess the threat to other structures in the area.”

In an update Thursday, forestry officials said the fire is moving to the northwest, away from the residential area and no other structures are currently threatened.

The fire was the second reported in the area in as many days.

The Mat-Su Area Forest office and Central Mat-Su Fire Department responded to a 1-acre fire off Point MacKenzie Road on Tuesday. Forestry officials called it “an escaped debris burn.” Firefighters were able to prevent the spread.

This is a developing story. Continue to see more at frontiersman.com.

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