Evacuations issued for Elliott Highway as fire rapidly spreads, threatening homes [Video]

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU) – People along the Elliott Highway from mileposts 41 to 43 are being told to “Evacuate Now” by the Bureau of Land Management and Alaska Fire Service.

Officials say the Globe Fire is rapidly spreading, now moving toward the highway. They say nearby homes, a Native allotment, and a DOT work camp are threatened.

Six smoke jumpers were deployed on the fire when the wind shifted east Wednesday evening.

The Globe Fire was first reported on Tuesday. The Alaska Interagency Coordination Center Situation Report listed the fire as caused by lightning, first detected by civilian aircraft. The estimated size was reported at 1,312 acres as of Wednesday evening, which grew to 1,518 acres by Thursday morning.

The wildfire season is in full force across Alaska. As of Wednesday evening, 132 active fires are burning in the state, 31 new in the past 24 hours. The state is currently staffing 14 …