Wildfire forces evacuation of Alaska village; homes threatened, portion of highway closed

Alaska village evacuated as fire threatens homes

TANACROSS, Alaska — A wildfire burning in eastern interior Alaska has forced the evacuation of Tanacross, a village of about 200.

The Anchorage Daily News says a stretch of the Alaska Highway is closed near the community, about 170 miles southeast of Fairbanks.

Fire managers say the Eagle Trail fire worsened Thursday afternoon when winds increased in unusually hot and dry conditions.

Remaining Tanacross residents evacuated and boarded a bus after a tense meeting with Division of Forestry officials and Alaska State Troopers.

The wildfire has burned about 2,000 acres 12 miles west of the town of Tok.

Fire managers say lighting overnight could spark more fires.

Information from: Anchorage Daily News, www.adn.com