Anchorage, Alaska –
An evacuation order was issued Saturday for people living in about 45 homes in subdivisions near a community in Inland Alaska after winds pushed the Clear Fire closer to them.
The fire was burning near the community of Anderson, about 81 miles (130 km) southwest of Fairbanks. The city of Anderson itself did not have an evacuation order.
However, people in the nearby Kobe Ag, Quota and Anderson subdivisions were asked to leave their homes after the fire broke out within 3 miles (4.83 km), said Sam Harrel, spokesman. of the Alaska Forest Service said.
The nearly 7 square mile (18 sq km) fire was started Tuesday by lightning strikes. It is burning in a mixture of tundra, brush, hardwood and black spruce.
Friday’s conditions including higher-than-expected temperatures and winds, pushed the fires closer to subdivisions. Officials said Saturday’s conditions were comparable.
The Denali district has established evacuation sites at Tri-Valley School in Healy, south of Anderson, and at the city school in Nenana, north of Anderson.
