Anderson's mandatory evacuation is lifted, but the Starry Fire isn't out

Anderson residents can head home. The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection lifted the mandatory evacuation order Thursday for the small Denali Borough community southwest of Fairbanks, downgrading it to the lowest "Ready" alert as the Starry Fire reached 60% containment — nearly a week after the blaze started near town on June 20.

That doesn't mean it's over. "Ready" means residents should stay packed and prepared to leave again on short notice, and crews are still working the 547-acre fire, searching out and dousing the pockets of heat still smoldering inside the line.

The fire didn't grow as much as it could have, thanks in large part to how fast the response came: local departments from Anderson, Tri-Valley, and Nenana hit it early, backed by heavy state and federal air support.

The next couple of days will be dry, which cuts both ways. The dry air helps crews find leftover heat by making it smoke — but it also keeps the risk of new spread alive, which is why the town is being told to stay ready rather than stand down. Crews are also keeping watch on two smaller fires nearby.