Wildfire along Turnagain Arm draws firefighting resources and onlookers

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Helicopters dropping water work the McHugh Creek Fire along the Seward Highway and Turnagain Arm on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 south of Anchorage, AK. (Bob Hallinen / Alaska Dispatch News)

More than 250 firefighters have been committed or requested to help contain the growing wildfire near McHugh Creek, even as Seward Highway traffic had resumed moving smoothly through the area Wednesday morning after long delays Tuesday.

McHugh Fire incident commander Tom Kurth said at a press conference Wednesday morning that the fire had expanded to 500 to 600 acres, including a "finger of fire" near Rainbow Valley. Roughly 150 firefighters, from smokejumpers to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson crews, were battling the blaze.

Crews expect "limited threats" from the fire Wednesday, Kurth said. The cause of the fire hasn't been determined, but Kurth said that because it occurred in a popular recreation area it was likely human-caused.

See more photos from earlier days of the fire here.

Read more: Seward Highway remains open as those fighting McHugh Fire hope for rain