Alaska Wildfire Threatening Community Businesses

A wildfire in south-central Alaska has threatened multiple businesses in a nearby community, officials said.

At least 51 homes and three businesses have been destroyed in a wildfire burning north of Anchorage. Another 84 outbuildings are reported to have been destroyed.

Wildfire smoke and sporadic highway closures have caused visitors to cancel trips, and fishing guides and other businesses in Cooper Landing are starting to suffer, KSRM-AM reported.

The fire has burned more than 222 square miles south of Anchorage in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, authorities said. The flames were invigorated since a lightning strike ignited the fire in June.