Alaska fire burns 'out of control'
June 5, 1996
Web posted at: 6:50 p.m. EDTHOUSTON, Alaska (CNN) -- Fueled by gusty winds, a wildfire has swept "out of control" in south-central Alaska, where it has engulfed 30,000 acres and destroyed as many as 150 homes. (375K QuickTime movie)
More than 1,000 residents near Anchorage have been evacuated, while about 300 firefighters desperately are trying to contain the blaze, state forestry spokesman Gary Lehnhausen said.
No major injuries have been reported. Investigators believe fireworks may have started the blaze.
Gov. Tony Knowles declared the region a disaster area Tuesday and asked for $5 million in federal emergency aid.
"This is a very serious fire and we are taking it seriously," the governor said. He is to tour the fire site Wednesday.
The fire began Sunday in a popular recreation area. Firefighters managed to keep it under control Monday. However, 40 mph winds stirred the flames Tuesday and it quickly raged out of control and spread southward.
Hundreds of homes have been evacuated in the Big Lake region at the request of public safety officials. Aircraft dropped fire retardants to prevent the blaze from igniting the residential neighborhoods.
From downtown Anchorage -- 50 miles to the south -- a massive wall of black smoke was visible.
Evacuated residents were staying with relatives, friends and in shelters and public buildings, said firefighter Robert Hall.
"Most everyone has found a place," he said. Hall said the fire initially was in an area with few, if any, roads and firefighters had a difficult time reaching the blaze. It already was burning strongly by the time they reached it. (255K AIFF or WAV sound)
Natural Resources Commissioner John Shively called the fire "out of control in probably the most inhabited area we've ever had a major forest fire."
The state forestry division reported that some 100 homes have been destroyed. "Firefighting conditions are terrible," Lehnhausen said.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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