McKinley Fire in Alaska threatens more than 1,000 structures
Almost 50 large wildfires are burning in a dozen US states from Texas to Alaska.
The McKinley Fire, which has now spread to more than 4,300 acres in Alaska, has destroyed at least 80 structures so far, the Alaska Division of Forestry reported Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, at least 48 large fires are actively burning in 12 states, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Alaska is battling eight wildfires; Texas 7; Arizona and Idaho six each; Montana and Utah five each; Oregon and Washington three each; New Mexico two; and California, Oklahoma and Wyoming one each.
Along the highway between Anchorage to Fairbanks
As of Wednesday, Alaska continues to be the nation’s top priority. The largest of the eight fires in the state is the McKinley Fire, which broke out on Saturday near Milepost 91 of the Parks Highway. The blaze has spread south along the road that links Anchorage and Fairbanks. An evacuation has been ordered for both sides of the Matanuska-Susitna valley highway, with shelters set up in Wasilla and Talkeetna.
