Lightning sparks 5 Susitna Valley fires; largest draws smokejumpers

Five wildfires were confirmed in the Susitna Valley on Friday night after lightning moved across the Coastal Region. Alaska recorded 3,027 strikes that day.

The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection reported the fires as of 8 p.m. Friday. Aircraft were spotting additional smokes as weather permitted. "Fire managers are prioritizing resources based on values at risk such as homes, roadways, and other infrastructure," the agency stated.

Fire #213, the largest at about 15 acres, sits 16 miles west of Mount Susitna and has drawn the heaviest commitment: one helicopter, the MatSu Crew Mod, three scoopers, two tankers, and eight smokejumpers.

Fire #217, 8.5 miles south of Talkeetna near Talkeetna Spur Road, measures 0.1 acre and is being managed by three engines and a helicopter. Fire #214, 7.5 miles northwest of Talkeetna at 0.1 acre, has one helicopter assigned.

Fires #215 and #216, located 9 miles northwest and 14 miles west of Talkeetna at 0.1 and 1 acre respectively, had no resources assigned as of the evening update.

A separate incident, the Parker wildfire, was logged by Alaska 511 early Saturday near coordinates 62.05N, 150.53W with a status of Fire Investigation and a recorded size of 0.00 acres. The 511 system cautions that structured incident records should not be used to infer cause or other details without a supporting Department of Natural Resources narrative report. No such report had been issued as of publication time.