ANCHORAGE — Strong overnight winds hampered firefighters containing a wildfire north of Palmer.
The state Division of Forestry says the fire 12 miles north of Palmer and 5 miles south of Sutton is about 300 acres, or just less than one-half square mile.
Winds in the area Sunday night blew steadily at 25 to 30 mph and gusts reached 40 mph.
The fire just after 6 p.m. crossed a fire line. Helicopters with water buckets dropped water on the area. Managers shifted firefighters to keep the fire from spreading.
Temperatures in the low 30s have hampered firefighting.
Downed power lines Sunday started small fires in Butte and south of the main fire.
The Forestry Division also responded to burning debris piles that a landowner lit 1.5 miles down a trail in Butte.
