Brush fire near downtown Glennallen destroys 2 structures

GLENNALLEN, Alaska – A brush fire near downtown Glennallen has destroyed two uninhabited structures, but no homes were being threatened, state fire officials said Wednesday.

A large column of smoke was visible from the downtown area.

The fire, estimated around 2 acres (0.81 hectares) in size, started Wednesday along Moose Creek Road. It was believed to have started when a previous fire was not fully extinguished, the Alaska Division of Forestry said in a statement.

The fire got into grass before spreading into wild lands near downtown Glennallen, where officials said it was slowly spreading.

Five firefighters from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough were brought in to help local crews. In total, about 20 people were working to contain the fire.

A helicopter was dropping water on hazardous materials burning within the fire perimeter.