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By Michele Gorman
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Emergency crews continued to battle a fast-moving wildfire in Alaska on Monday, as flames swept across 6,500 acres early in the morning.
Additional firefighters from the Lower 48 states were called in to assist local crews in battling the Sockeye Fire, which is burning along the Parks Highway in the town of Willow, about 81 miles north of Anchorage. Ongoing hot, dry weather and a lack of rain and moisture in the area are exacerbating the conditions, fire officials said.
Crews are focused on evacuating residents and saving homes, while planes are flying overhead to drop water onto the blaze.
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Authorities have not yet estimated the number of damaged structures.
The fire was first reported around 1:15 p.m. local time on Sunday. It grew to more than 4,000 acres by 10:30 p.m., according to the Anchorage Fire Department. Two hours later, officials estimated the fire had increased to 6,500 acres.
The National Weather Service Anchorage said Monday the fire already is big enough to be detected on nighttime satellite imagery. Its cause remains unknown.
The fire is burning on both sides of the Parks Highway, a major route that officials temporarily closed.
There is a temporary flight restriction over the area.
Updated 6,500 acre #sockeyefire map from Alaska DNR- Division of Forestry (DOF). Additional interagency information & updates can be found at www.akfireinfo.com
Posted by The Anchorage Fire Department on Monday, June 15, 2015
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