McHugh Creek Wildland Fire

Early Sunday morning, July 26th, 2009 Anchorage Firefighters responded to a report of trees on fire on the hillside above the Seward Highway adjacent to the McHugh Creek parking lot. 911 calls received by AFD Dispatchers were reported by passing motorists just before 4 a.m.

Fire apparatus from the Huffman Station were dispatched and upon their arrival discovered an area approximately 50’ x 50’ burning about 100’ up the hill from the road. Fire crews began moving hand-lines into place and as they began battling the blaze called for additional resources. The fire was spreading up the hill fanned by winds estimated at 30 mph. Two additional engine companies plus additional water tender assisted with fire suppression. It took fire crews nearly two hours to bring the blaze under control given the rough terrain and steady wind. The Chugach Park Ranger also responded to the scene and Forestry crews were requested although crews were not immediately available due to deployment at other fires within the state. AFD crews spent another hour on scene extinguishing hot spots.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, although a campfire was found in the area of origin. AFD crews returned to the fire scene three more times on Sunday totaling almost six hours to overhaul and extinguish hot spots. The fire burned just under an acre of Wildland.