Madeline McGee

Ongoing wildfire danger, along with other hazards, may throw a wrench into some fairgoers’ plans.

Mat-Su officials say 51 homes, three businesses and 84 outbuildings have been lost in the McKinley fire.

The region has seen less than an inch of rainfall since June 1 and no measurable rain at all during August, putting it on track to beat a 50-year record.

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough declared a disaster emergency Tuesday over multiple wildfires, the largest of which destroyed dozens of structures.

A spokesman for the district said schools have the option to move athletic events inside if they’re able to.

Light winds from the west are expected to disperse some smoke but likely won’t blow it away altogether, an Anchorage meteorologist said.

A fire management official said more concrete information about the structures damaged by the fire will be available after emergency managers go in to survey the area on Tuesday.

A fire official said the 100-foot by 50-foot fire did not appear to be spreading.

A National Weather Service meteorologist said the smoke was expected to stick around until at least Tuesday afternoon.

By Sunday evening, the western edge of the fire was about 5 miles from Cooper Landing.

Fire officials said winds from a coming cold front dried out fuels, causing the nearly 103,000-acre fire to spread along its western edge.

The nonprofit — formed under the guidance of U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens in 2001 to reduce aviation fatalities — said it will close its doors on Sept. 15, citing reduced funding from the FAA.

The wildfire Saturday was one of several Mat-Su fires that officials say resulted from strong winds either knocking down power lines or causing trees to fall on power lines.

Blown trees in transmission lines cut out power to about 4,100 people around Anchorage, according to utility officials.

Assistant Chief Erich Scheunemann said no one was injured in the fire.