State's first significant fire breaks out near Delta Junction

The first significant fire of Alaska's fire season has broken out near Delta Junction. The North Eielson Fire was started by a tree falling on a power line near the Tanana Loop Extension. As of 2:45 p.m. Friday it was between 20 and 30 acres in size, according to Tim Mowry with the Alaska Fire Service.

No evacuation orders are in effect, though Mowry says they had initially been considered. Students at the school in Delta Junction are being held at the school so they wouldn't be released during the initial response.

High winds in the area drove the fire from its start in timber forest to a field, where it grew, but Mowry says the fire is now back in timber, and is slowing down. Interior Alaska is uner a wind advisory through 9 a.m. Friday between the Alaska Range passes with winds betwen 25 and 35 miles an hour and gusts up to 50 mph.

It's the first fire of the year that's required an air tanker response. Mowry says a Mat-Su fire response crew is on its way to the fire, along with multiple engines from Delta, Tok and Fairbanks.