Firefighters make progress battling Alaska wildfire

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Officials say firefighters are making progress on a wildfire burning north of Anchorage.

Fire managers said Sunday the fire is now 28% contained. It’s estimated to have burned 5.2 square miles (13.4 kilometres).

Alaska Division of Forestry spokeswoman Stephanie Bishop says winds predicted Saturday never materialized, helping firefighters make progress on battling the blaze. She says the fire is not growing.

Cooler conditions also are expected Sunday before an expected warming trend begins Monday.

Bishop says the fire remains active. Evacuation orders remain in place.

Officials announced Friday that 51 homes, three businesses and 84 outbuildings have been destroyed in the fire.

The fire started last weekend about 70 miles (113 kilometres) north of Anchorage.

Gov. Michael Dunleavy issued a disaster declaration for the Matanuska Susitna Borough and Kenai Peninsula Borough for impacts from fires.