CHICKEN, Alaska (AP) — The last of a group of travelers stranded by wildfires for two days in this tiny mining community were safely escorted out of the area early Saturday.

On Thursday, three fires in the area prompted officials to close a 90-mile stretch of Taylor Highway on both sides of Chicken, a community of 21 people. The closure stranded about 200 residents, travelers and seasonal miners.

It was unclear how many people left the area Saturday, but officials said several dozen vehicles were escorted out. Another convoy left Chicken early Friday.

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Fire managers hoped to soon reopen a nearby state highway on a limited basis.

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