One person found dead in fire on Talkeetna property where wildfire started

PALMER — Alaska State Troopers said one person was found dead early Tuesday in a house fire near Talkeetna, the same location where a fast-moving wildfire broke out Saturday.

The Montana Creek Fire started Saturday afternoon near the Parks Highway and a crowded campground but has spread northwest, away from the road and campers. A state fire information officer confirmed Tuesday that a vehicle fire sparked the blaze after flames spread into nearby black spruce trees and took off.

Police spokesman Tim DeSpain said the home where the person was found dead early Tuesday in a fire “is the same location where the Montana Creek fire started.”

Both fires happened on South Sled Dog Drive in Talkeetna, authorities said. It's not yet known if there is a connection between the two.

The cause of the fatal fire was still under investigation Tuesday, police said.

The incident was reported to emergency services at 1:20 a.m., according to DeSpain. No additional information was available about the person found in the structure and there was no one else in the residence, he said.

State firefighters responded to the scene of the fatal fire, police said. The person's body will be sent to the state medical examiner's office for autopsy and positive identification.

The Montana Creek Fire, about 16 miles south of Talkeetna, remained 40% contained Tuesday with 90 personnel working on it, according to a fire update from the state Division of Forestry.

Crews had hoses placed around the perimeter of the fire Tuesday afternoon, according to fire information officer Kim Hemenway. Moderate humidity and lighter winds were expected Tuesday and Wednesday, Hemenway said.