Division of Forestry officials confirm the Steeple Fire in Eagle River was caused by an escaped campfire, and are reminding the public to practice fire safety as dry conditions persist in Southcentral Alaska.
"Despite the fact that we did have some cooler weather a few weeks ago, and the temperatures dropped and we got a little bit of precipitation and rain, it wasn't enough to block out that high fire danger that we are at," DOF spokesperson Stephanie Bishop said. "Please, everybody, again, be careful out there. We are still dry, there is still potential for fires out there, obviously."
Around 4 p.m. Monday, Bishop told KTUU the fire was only burning .7 acres, and it should be contained "within the next few hours." By 6:15 p.m. the fire was still smoldering while ground crews dug a containment line and helicopters doused the area with water.