Southwest Alaska wildfire reaches nearly 13 square miles

ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Division of Forestry says a wildfire in remote southwest Alaska has burned nearly 13 square miles.

The fire is about 50 miles northeast of McGrath.

The 8,130 acres burned are the result of two fires that began Sunday and merged Tuesday.

Both began from remnants of a fire last year that burned nearly 26 square miles in the same area.

The fire continues to burn on its south and southwest sides.

About 80 Division of Forestry personnel working to protect cabins and private property.

A Type 2 initial attack crew from Fairbanks is on the fire. Crews from the villages of Lower Kalskag, Upper Kalskag and Nondalton also are fighting the fire.

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