McHugh fire spurred by erratic winds, crews protecting homes

A wildfire near Anchorage is now at more than 500 acres, and an increase in winds predicted for today has heightened the fire’s critical status. Crews are working to prevent the fire from damaging nearby neighborhoods. Traffic is backed up on the Seward Highway for miles.
Smoke rises from the 200-acre McHugh Fire south of Anchorage along the Seward Highway on Monday night. (Alaska Division of Forestry photo)The McHugh fire, which began late Saturday, is burning in the Chugach State Pa