String of Arson Cases Stretch from South Anchorage to Eagle River

Dry weather has made for a fiery summer across Interior Alaska, however, people have caused a rash of arson cases in Anchorage.

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By Colleen Kelly

Story Created: Jun 21, 2011 at 5:37 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jun 21, 2011 at 5:37 PM AKDT

It’s been a fiery summer across Interior Alaska as flames consumed thousands of acres due to dry weather. In Anchorage, however, people have contributed to a rash of area fires over the past several weeks.

Since April 1, the Anchorage Fire Department has responded to 52 wildland fires, 15 of which the department reports have been linked to kids and teens.

Perhaps even more surprising is the number of vehicle arsons that have occurred inside parked, unoccupied vehicles, most of which have occurred in Spenard.

Four instances of arson have been reported at the area near the bike trail at Johns and Klatt roads; five additional instances of arson have been reported in the area of Muldoon and Debarr roads.

According to the Anchorage Fire Department, all of these fires started in “wooded or unimproved areas,” several of which have been linked to kids and teens.

Outside of the city, two Eagle River-area arsons have been reported: one in a scorekeeper’s shack at Lions Park, and a brush fire ignited by an “incendiary device” near Crestview Lane and Eagle River Road.

Anchorage police are also investigating June 11 damages to the exterior fire suppression system at Ravenwood Elementary School in Eagle River

Also, the Anchorage Police Department requests that the couple who contacted Anchorage Fire Department employees while walking their black and white dog to contact Officer Shackelford. Police believe the couple has information that could assist with the case.

If you have any information on any of these or other crimes contact Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP (7867) or the arson hot line at 267-5060.

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