Anchorage Daily News

HOMER (AP) - Shifting winds pushed a wildfire away from a Homer subdivision while firefighters worked to protect homes and clear protective fireline on Saturday.

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The fire was estimated at 800 to 1,000 acres, said Kris Eriksen, a spokeswoman for the state Division of Forestry.

Most of the growth of the fire was in a north-northwest direction, away from populated areas, after a midday shift in winds, she said.

"It's burning almost due opposite, into the high country," she said. At elevation 1,500 feet, thereis still snow on the ground, less fuel to burn and much cooler temperatures, she said.

Fire managers expected the fire to calm down overnight as temperatures continued to drop.

"We had a big day in terms of gains in acreage," Eriksen said. "Thankfully it went mostly in a direction where nothing is threatened."

No one has been reported injured and no buildings have burned, she said.

A public meeting is scheduled for 8 p.m. Sunday at Homer High School where fire managers will answer questions.

The fire was reported Friday afternoon and quickly doubled in size. It was about 2 miles from the Skyline subdivision, but remained on the opposite side of Fritz Creek.

There have been no evacuations ordered. The trigger point for evacuations would probably be if the fire crossed Fritz Creek, Eriksen said.

Between 60 and 70 firefighters were working the blaze and four other 16-person crews were expected. A fire management team from Fairbanks arrived Saturday.

The blaze came close to some homes in the Hutler Road area northeast of town, but none burned, she said.

Helicopters dumped water on the blaze at the direction of an airplane. Volunteer fire departments from Homer and Anchor Point also were helping out. Bulldozers were being used to clear firebreaks.

The weather on the Kenai Peninsula has been in the 70s and dry, but a change was expected to bring more seasonably cool temperatures beginning Sunday night.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.