Several large fires in Interior Alaska flared over the weekend, triggering evacuations and lengthy road closures and delays into Monday.

Nearly 300 wildfires are burning around the state after a previously slow fire season erupted last week amid a barrage of lightning strikes.

Several of the state's more significant blazes near Fairbanks and Healy prompted continued high-level evacuation alerts for multiple neighborhoods.

Damage reports were still pending as of Monday, officials said.

Scores of fires started or blew up Thursday and through the weekend with red flag conditions, lightning and high pressure set up over most of the state, according to a state emergency situation report.

Emergency officials said they received a report Sunday that two residential structures in the Kuskokwim River village of Crooked Creek were destroyed by a lightning-caused fire, leaving eight people sheltering with relatives or neighbors.

State officials issued an air-quality advisory Monday warning that smoke from the Interior fires has "completely engulfed all areas of the region" and air quality could be very unhealthy near fires.

Several fires were burning in the Fairbanks area. As of Monday morning, the Fairbanks North Star Borough said "Go" evacuation alerts urging residents to leave immediately were in place for properties on all roads of Haystack Mountain, the Poker Flat watershed, the Himalaya Road area and the Hayes Creek neighborhood.

The Bear Creek Fire north of Healy started Thursday night and by Sunday had swelled to more than 26,000 acres. The Denali Borough said "Go" evacuation alerts covered numerous areas and several subdivisions.

As of Monday morning, borough officials said they had received reports of about 16 structures lost. It wasn't immediately clear how many people chose to evacuate.

Seven members of the Anchorage Fire Department, along with four personnel from the Chugiak Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, were expected to convoy up to Healy on Monday to support wildland firefighters on the Bear Creek Fire, according to AFD.

The weather was improving after a wind shift Sunday made for challenging conditions.

"There's not much wind at the moment," emergency manager Forest Shreeve said after driving through the fire area Monday morning. "That's the huge help."

State transportation officials issued warnings that the fire could lead to extended delays on the Parks Highway, which is busy in summer with tour buses and travelers driving what's normally the quickest route between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Between Mile 259 and 276, a pilot vehicle will lead traffic when safe to do so, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities said in an update on the 511 site Monday, urging drivers to expect possible closures and delays due to unpredictable fire activity.

"While there have been some short windows in which it was safe enough to get some vehicles through, the situation remains dynamic and long closures can be expected," the update said.

There were also evacuation alerts in place east of Tok with a community meeting scheduled Monday night, according to the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Firefighters near the Yukon River community of Rampart were protecting structures and allotments, according to the Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service. The Alaska National Guard sent two Blackhawk helicopters and other resources to the Nelchina Glacier Fire, burning near Eureka Roadhouse and residences along the Glenn Highway, state fire officials said.

Generally, moderating weather may bring some relief Monday, with additional improvement by Thursday, state emergency officials said.

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