Wildfire in eastern Alaska grows; hot, dry weather continues

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A wildfire burning in remote eastern Alaska has grown to nearly 19 square miles (49 sq. kilometers).

Hot, dry and windy weather helped expand the fire burning 38 miles (61 kilometers) southeast of Tok (tohk) and 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) southwest of Northway.

The fire began Monday and by Tuesday was estimated at 7.3 square miles (19 sq. kilometers). It’s burning through an area where black spruce is the main fuel.

A helicopter Wednesday shuttled crews to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cabin 6 miles (9.6 kilometers) southeast of the fire and two Native allotments.

C...