An Alaska wildfire in the Kenai Peninsula has grown to cover more than 248 square miles–or the size of Chicago–but was only 20 percent contained as of Sunday morning, fire officials said.
The almost ironically named Funny River Fire–the fire is named for the area is started in–threatens about 150 cabins, vacation homes and year-round residences in three communities.
Anchorage CBS station KTVA reports that several areas have either been evacuated or placed under an evacuation advisory. Residents are bracing themselves as they keep a close eye on the fire.
“I’m a little on edge, but I’m comfortable … with being home now,” Andie Bock told KTVA. “I still know at any moment it can turn, but I’m prepared to just put the kids in the car and go — there is no grabbing anything anymore.”
The Funny River Fire burning in the 1.9-million-acre Kenai National Wildlife Refuge grew by about 42 square miles on Saturday. The size of the fire is not unusual for Alaska but the state does not usually see such large fires this early in the season, said Michelle Weston, spokeswoman with the Alaska Interagency Management Team, which includes the state Division of Forestry and federal and local officials.
From KKTV 11 News: https://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/Alaska-Wildfire-Burning-Area-Bigger-Than-Colorado-Springs-260756601.html