Alaska News

Another day of rain aids firefighters battling McHugh blaze

A 778-acre wildfire burning just south of Anchorage in Chugach State Park continues to be stifled and dampened by rocky terrain and wet weather.

"In places where we need to build (fire containment) line, we're about 30 percent done with that work," said Sam Harrel, a public information officer with the Alaska Division of Forestry.

Firefighters were taking advantage of heavy rain on Sunday, despite treacherous conditions on forested slopes where the fire was burning in the Chugach Mountains. Some 310 firefighters were working on the fire as of Sunday, according to the Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team.

"It's pretty slippery on the steep slopes, with muck and mud and loose rock," he said.

Firefighters had nevertheless made progress on constructing containment line, he said. And the fire was bumping up against rocky, scree-covered ridges that offered little new fuel.

"We're able to utilize some natural barriers," Harrel said.

On Sunday, firefighters were also working to extinguish embers in the vegetation mat on the forest floor, which could reignite when hot and dry weather returns.

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On the Seward Highway, the speed limit was still 35 mph through the fire area and pullouts were closed. Fire officials urged caution to motorists traveling through the area.

"The heavy rain today may loosen rocks and other debris from the cliffs about the highway," said the statement on the Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team website. "Motorists should not stop along the highway within the fire area."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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