A Nilokaevsk man was arrested Monday evening after Alaska State Troopers say he interfered with fire crews trying to contain a wildfire near the Kenai Peninsula community.
Derek Jokay-Szilagyi, 45, was arrested at about 5:30 p.m. Monday, according to a trooper dispatch.
”An investigation showed Jokay-Szilagyi had laid down in the middle of the road and impeded a fire truck which was responding to a wildland fire which was threatening occupied residences in Nikolaevsk,” troopers wrote.
Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said Tuesday that alcohol was believed to have been a factor in the incident.
The Alaska Division of Forestry reported Monday that the fire had burned 5 to 7 acres of land near buildings off Bolotna Road. Wind was pushing the blaze “away from structures and into a wet area,” however, as a bucket helicopter and fire crews responded.