State fire crews were able to contain a small wildland fire in the Meadow Creek Valley near Eagle River Monday afternoon, fire officials say.
The Steeple Fire was reported by residents who saw the fire from their houses “just after noon on Monday,” according to information from the Alaska Division of Forestry. The fire was burning in the Meadow Creek Valley area but did not threaten any structures.
“The fire does not pose a threat to any homes at this time” the Division of Forestry wrote.
Officials said the cause of the fire was determined to be an escaped campfire. An investigation is ongoing.
The fire is near the top of the mountain, according to Alaska Division of Forestry fire information officer Tim Mowry, at least a half-mile from any structures. According to a 4 p.m. update posted by the division, the fire was “successfully boxed in” by ground crews and an air tanker dropping retardant and water-enhanced suppressant.
The update said a helicopter continued to drop water from the nearby Eagle River on the blaze.