Alaska wildfire prompts evacuations from remote lodge

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A remote hunting lodge that serves as a checkpoint in Alaska’s famed Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has been evacuated after lightning sparked a wildfire nearby.

KTUU reports 26 employees and guests of the Rainy Pass Lodge were evacuated Tuesday night and flown 125 miles (201 kilometres) to Anchorage.

The American Red Cross provided shelter for 12. The rest made other accommodations.

The Alaska Division of Forestry says the fire was reported Tuesday evening.

Alaska Division of Forestry spokeswoman Sarah Saarloos says as of Wednesday afternoon, the fire was 120 acres. She says light rain earlier Wednesday slowed the fire’s growth.

Saarloos says 20 horses from the lodge were released for their safety and remain at the site.

The lodge serves as a checkpoint on the Iditarod each March.

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Information from: KTUU-TV, http://www.ktuu.com