Willow fire prompts evacuation of homes, strong response

  • By Dan Joling
  • Sunday, June 14, 2015 9:07pm
  • News

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A fast-moving, human-caused wildfire Sunday afternoon closed the Parks Highway and forced the evacuation of about 10 homes near Willow.

The fire was called in at 1:15 p.m. and reported at two acres, said Tim Mowry, spokesman for the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center, by phone from Fairbanks. By 3 p.m. the fire covered 80 acres, and an hour later was burning 200 acres, or nearly one-third square mile.

“It’s a pretty fast-moving fire,” Mowry said. “It’s got a little bit of wind on it.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Willow is in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough about 40 miles north of Anchorage. The more than 2,000 rural residents are spread between Miles 60 and 80.7 of the Parks Highway. The community is bordered on the west by the Susitna River.

The fire has remained on the west side of the highway so far, Mowry said, but it was approaching the highway between Anchorage and Fairbanks near Mile 77. Emergency officials closed the road at that spot, and borough spokeswoman Patty Sullivan said drivers were urged to stay out of the area.

The fire has been dubbed the Sockeye Fire for the avenue in Willow where the fire started and where the homes were evacuated quickly after the fire was reported.

“That was within the first half-hour after it was reported,” Mowry said.

The fire was caused by people, but Mowry did not have details on how it started.

The response was swift and strong because of the fire’s proximity to homes. “We’re throwing everything we can at it at this point,” Mowry said.

By midafternoon, tankers from Palmer and Fairbanks were dropping retardant on the fire, and a helicopter was dropping loads of water. A second helicopter was on its way from Kenai.

Three water-scooping aircraft were due to arrive from Fairbanks.

On the ground, firefighters from the Division of Forestry were battling the blaze. Three 20-member crews from Kenai, Palmer and Fairbanks also were headed for the fire, Mowry said.

“It’s a dynamic situation,” he said.

Emergency officials set up an evacuation center for displaced families at the Willow Community Center at Mile 69.7 mile Parks Highway.

More in News

Vendors fill the floor of the 38th Annual Kenai Peninsula Sport, Rec & Trade Show at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, May 2, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Annual Sport, Rec and Trade Show offers outfitting for adventure

The expo runs through Sunday at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex.

People carry signs and stand as part of a May Day protest alongside the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
May Day demonstrators champion workers’ rights, protest Trump policies

About 150 people turned out in Soldotna to celebrate International Workers’ Day.

Homer Electric Association Board President Dan Furlong speaks after being reelected at the utility’s annual meeting of the members at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
HEA elects status quo board

President Dan Furlong, Deputy Secretary Wayne Ogle and Director Erin McKittrick will all retain their seats.

tease
Sterling Highway reconstruction delayed

The project, which spans from Anchor Point to Baycrest Hill, is anticipated to begin next spring.

tease
33rd Shorebird Festival starts next week

This year’s festival, running May 7-11, features “Wildlife DJ” Dr. Ben Mirin as keynote speaker.

A veterinarian with Greater Good Charities escorts dog Maggie into a free spay/neuter clinic at the Moose Pass Fire Station in Moose Pass, Alaska, on Thursday, March 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Free spay and neuter clinic coming to Soldotna this month

The upcoming clinics will be held May 29-June 1 at Redoubt Elementary School in Soldotna.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Project Manager Jerrod Stafford, of Western Marine Construction, points to a map of the Kenai River Bluff Stabilization Project while giving an update on the project in Kenai on Wednesday.
Bluff project construction to start this month

The project set to be completed in October.

Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower (R-Wasilla), right, explains why he is changing his vote on a compromise education bill during the Wednesday, April 30, 2025, floor session at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Education funding bill passes Legislature with veto-proof margin

Education commissioner tells school districts to support governor’s policy goals or risk losing funds.

Geoff Kirsch and students from Sayéik Gastineau Community School sing during a rally for early education funding at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Spend more for programs or PFDs? Legislators say reality may mean less money for both.

As protesters plea for reverse to program cuts, Senate budget leader says PFD may shrink to $1,000.

Most Read