Eagle River Brush Fire

   Shortly after noon today several callers notified 911 of a substantial column of smoke emitting from the peak above Steeple Drive in the Eagle River Valley.  Crews responded from Anchorage Fire Department at Station 11 in Eagle River, Rotor One (AFD’s wildfire suppression helicopter), and the Division of Forestry Helitack in Palmer.  

When arriving on scene, crews discovered a slow spreading ¼ acre brush fire near a well used hiking trail burning in alder leaf litter and grass.  Winds were up slope at around 5 mph and pushing the fire away from homes, which were about 100 yards away. 

   Engine 11 crew members provided ground support in partnership with 5 members from Mat-Su Helitack while Rotor One dropped 7 buckets of water on the ¼ acre brush fire.  Each bucket drop contains approximately 300 gallons of water which was dipped from a pond adjacent to Eagle River.  The fire was under control at 1:50 pm and Mat-Su Helitack remained on scene to ensure the extinguishment of any remaining hot spots.  Initial reports by crews determine the cause to be a camp fire.

For more information, please contact Jen Klugh at 317-9929.