Wildland fire reported in Montana Creek area

A wildfire in the Montana Creek area was reported just after 3 p.m. Saturday.

The fire, located near Mile 94 of the Parks Highway, was originally estimated at a quarter-acre, and “grew quickly,” to about 20 acres, according to Alaska Wildland Fire Information.

In its final update of the evening Saturday, Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection officials said, “With the support of aerial resources including heavy air tankers, water scooping aircraft and multiple helicopters, firefighters on the Montana Creek Fire are making good progress towards suppression efforts on the Montana Creek Fire (#312) this evening. With the hard work by personnel on the ground, including engine crews, fire crews and smokejumpers, firefighters were able to slow the spread of the fire with the use of hose lays, aerials assets and multiple fire apparatus from a large contingency of Mat-Su Borough fire departments.”

The Alaska State Troopers issued an alert early Saturday evening, saying they are assisting forestry with traffic. The Parks Highway remained open, as of 9 p.m. Saturday, but residential roads between Mile 94 and Mile 98 was only open to residential traffic, AST said.

“Even as firefighters try to gain the upper hand tonight, the fire behavior continues to still be active along much of the perimeter, prompting the Mat-Su Borough to issue a SET status for residents along the Leroy Davie and Montana Creek roads. This is not an evacuation order at this time,” forestry officials said in an update at akfireinfo.com.

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