A Saturday night fire caused by lightning bolt strikes has grown to 150 acres Sunday evening, from six acres when it was first reported Saturday night. The fire reminds people of an almost 170,000-acre fire that ravaged the area two years prior, according to the Alaska Division of Forestry.
The press release issued by the division said the Loon Lake fire near Sterling was reported at around 8 p.m. Saturday. Firefighters reached the fire at around 11 p.m. and fought the flames until 2 a.m. the following day. Firefighters on the scene reported the fire had “minimal activity” overnight Saturday into Sunday, but it became more active by Sunday afternoon.
According to the release, the Division of Forestry is responding with multiple aircraft to make water and retardant drops, as additional personnel are requested to help fight the fire.