Alaska campers fight wildfire until emergency crews arrive

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – Firefighters were able to contain an Alaska wildfire that was initially fought by campers who first spotted the blaze, the U.S. Forest Service said.

Several groups were camping at Boy Scout Beach in Juneau when some of them saw the fire Saturday morning, KTOO-FM reported.

“We just noticed some smoke, and it was kind of high up in the grass,’’ said Blaine Scharen, who was camping with his wife and extended family.

The fire appeared to be growing out

of control when Scharen and his brother-in-law went to the next campsite to check the

situation.

“And at that point there was...