Wildfire near Kahiltna River contained

The region’s first significant wildfire for the 2017 fire season is being monitored by state officials but appears to be under control.

An approximate 56-acre blaze started Sunday evening near the Kahiltna River, according to Alaska Division of Forestry and Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service officials. Both departments sent firefighters who worked late into Sunday night-Monday morning to gain control of the blaze which was first reported Sunday around 6 p.m. According to officials, local pilots flying over the area were the first to spot the blaze, located in a modified protection area approximately 80 miles northwest of Wasilla and 28 miles west of Parks Highway.

Officials said initial reports put the blaze at 10 acres, which was burning in predominantly black spruce and hardwoods. By late Sunday, the fire had grown to 56 acres, officials stated.

A group of seven firefighters from the Mat-Su forestry detachment were flown in by helicopter, arriving approximately an hour after the fire was reported. Air tankers from Palmer and Fairbanks were ordered to report to the location and made multiple retardant drops on the fire starting at 8 p.m. Eight BLM smokejumpers also responded to the blaze at 10 p.m, according to akfireinfo.com’s website.

With the help of the retardant drops and substantial rain over the Talkeetna and Alaska mountain ranges Sunday night, officials reported firefighters were able to secure most of the fire’s perimeter. Officials said the blaze was 40 percent contained when firefighters pulled off the line at 1 a.m. Monday. The fire was estimated at 40 acres.

Firefighters returned to the line early Monday morning finding small amounts of heat on one flank and some smoke in the interior portion of the fire. A Type 2 initial attack crew was shuttled into the fire early Monday afternoon to assist with suppression. Late Monday afternoon reports indicated the fire was displaying minimal fire behavior after the substantial overnight rain.

Firefighters were continuing to grid the area for hot spots and isolated areas of heat Monday to increase containment. No reported homes or buildings were reported threatened by the blaze. The fire’s cause was not known.

Contact reporter Chris Ford at 352-2270 or chris.ford@frontiersman.com