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| Alaska wildfires: 'Explosive' flames force evacuations | Alaska wildfires: 'Explosive' flames force evacuations |
| (1 day later) | |
| Thousands of people have been urged to leave their homes as "explosive" wildfires rage across Alaska in the United States, officials have said. | Thousands of people have been urged to leave their homes as "explosive" wildfires rage across Alaska in the United States, officials have said. |
| Fire crews are battling flames on the Kenai Peninsula and around the city of Anchorage, with emergency shelters set up for evacuees. | Fire crews are battling flames on the Kenai Peninsula and around the city of Anchorage, with emergency shelters set up for evacuees. |
| About 500 sled-dogs have also been rescued, Associated Press reports. | About 500 sled-dogs have also been rescued, Associated Press reports. |
| The authorities believe the fires were ignited by humans, but the exact cause has not yet been established. | The authorities believe the fires were ignited by humans, but the exact cause has not yet been established. |
| The first blaze started at around 13:00 local time (21:00 GMT) on Sunday in the Willow area north of Anchorage - the heart of the state's sled-dog community and home to some 2,000 people. | The first blaze started at around 13:00 local time (21:00 GMT) on Sunday in the Willow area north of Anchorage - the heart of the state's sled-dog community and home to some 2,000 people. |
| It initially covered just two acres, but quickly spread, fanned by strong winds and dry weather. Around 6,500 acres are now on fire, according to officials. | It initially covered just two acres, but quickly spread, fanned by strong winds and dry weather. Around 6,500 acres are now on fire, according to officials. |
| A voluntary evacuation order was put in place affecting around 1,700 buildings. | A voluntary evacuation order was put in place affecting around 1,700 buildings. |
| Alaska governor Bill Walker took part in an aerial tour of the region on Monday and said at least 25 homes and 20 other structures had been destroyed. | Alaska governor Bill Walker took part in an aerial tour of the region on Monday and said at least 25 homes and 20 other structures had been destroyed. |
| Relieved but dejected | Relieved but dejected |
| Two hundred dogs are being housed at the home of Big Lake resident Martin Buser, who has also been taking in displaced residents. | Two hundred dogs are being housed at the home of Big Lake resident Martin Buser, who has also been taking in displaced residents. |
| "Everybody's relieved that their dogs are safe and here, but the people that have lost their homes, they are dejected," he said. | "Everybody's relieved that their dogs are safe and here, but the people that have lost their homes, they are dejected," he said. |
| A second blaze erupted on the Kenai Peninsula on Monday, roughly 100 miles south of Willow. | A second blaze erupted on the Kenai Peninsula on Monday, roughly 100 miles south of Willow. |
| Alaska's Department of Natural Resources said the "explosive wildland fire" had forced the evacuation of hundreds of homes. | Alaska's Department of Natural Resources said the "explosive wildland fire" had forced the evacuation of hundreds of homes. |
| So far there have been no reports of injuries. | So far there have been no reports of injuries. |
| Residents with properties away from the affected areas have taken to social media to offer their homes to evacuees. | Residents with properties away from the affected areas have taken to social media to offer their homes to evacuees. |