Moderating weather and increased precipitation on the Kenai Peninsula have prompted the Alaska Division of Forestry to lift the two-month long burn permit suspension as of 8 a.m. today, opening the way for cautious, permitted burning. Concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic could make it impossible to rely on Lower 48 firefighting resources this summer led […]
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Rain allows cautious, permitted burning to resume on Kenai Peninsula
July 7, 2020 
Comments Off on Rain allows cautious, permitted burning to resume on Kenai Peninsula
Mat-Su firefighters quickly douse wildfire started by fireworks near Wasilla
July 4, 2020 Comments Off on Mat-Su firefighters quickly douse wildfire started by fireworks near Wasilla
Firefighters from the Alaska Division of Forestry and Central Mat-Su Fire Department quickly snuffed out a small brush fire started by fireworks on Friday night near Wasilla. The one-half acre fire, off Lucy Creek Circle, was reported at approximately 9 p.m. The fire was located in a grass field with a subdivision nearby. The initial […]
Continue reading Remain vigilant to prevent wildfires this Fourth of July weekend
July 1, 2020 Comments Off on Remain vigilant to prevent wildfires this Fourth of July weekend
Despite above-average rainfall in June that tempered wildfire activity across much of Alaska the last two weeks, state wildland fire managers are urging the public to use caution with any activity that could spark a wildfire over Independence Day weekend. A high-pressure ridge is expected to build over the state beginning today and persist through […]
Continue reading Mushroom pickers discover hot spot from last summer’s Shovel Creek Fire
June 26, 2020 Comments Off on Mushroom pickers discover hot spot from last summer’s Shovel Creek Fire
Mushroom pickers on Thursday discovered a small hot spot that overwintered from last summer’s Shovel Creek Fire northwest of Fairbanks. The mushroom pickers notified the Alaska Division of Forestry at 3:30 p.m. and flagged a trail to the hot spot so two prevention officers could locate it. The hot spot was located about one-quarter of […]
Continue reading Like Interior rivers, state forestry firefighters rise to the occasion to help fill sandbags for City of Nenana
June 26, 2020 Comments Off on Like Interior rivers, state forestry firefighters rise to the occasion to help fill sandbags for City of Nenana
While heavy rain last week brought a temporary halt to the wildfire season throughout much of the Interior, it caused rivers to rise dramatically and prompted flood warnings from the National Weather Service in many areas, including Nenana, where the Tanana River was predicted to reach flood stage on Thursday or Friday. So when Nenana […]
Continue reading Firefighters respond to second Swan Lake Fire holdover near Sterling Highway
June 26, 2020 Comments Off on Firefighters respond to second Swan Lake Fire holdover near Sterling Highway
Firefighters on the Kenai Peninsula are mopping up a second holdover fire from last summer’s Swan Lake Fire that was reported Thursday afternoon by multiple motorists on the Sterling Highway. The Swan Lake Overwinter #2 Fire is estimated at 7.2 acres and is not expected to grow in size. The fire was reported at 3:30 […]
Continue reading State forestry seeks public’s help naming new fire prevention moose
June 23, 2020 Comments Off on State forestry seeks public’s help naming new fire prevention moose
Every Alaskan has a stake in smart wildland fire prevention and management, so the Division of Forestry is holding a contest to give every Alaskan the chance to name its new “Take Time To LEARN Before You Burn” moose. What is the “Take Time To Learn Before You Burn” program and who is the moose? […]
Continue reading Any Creek Fire north of Fairbanks 100% contained but much work remains
June 22, 2020 Comments Off on Any Creek Fire north of Fairbanks 100% contained but much work remains
Continued cool, wet weather has allowed firefighters to fully contain the 44-acre Any Creek Fire (#236) located about 10 miles north of Fairbanks near Old Murphy Dome Road. After a third straight day of rain and cool temperatures, fire managers with the Alaska Division of Forestry declared the fire 100% contained as of Sunday night, […]
Continue reading Rain and toil put containment on Any Creek Fire north of Fairbanks at 70%
June 20, 2020 Comments Off on Rain and toil put containment on Any Creek Fire north of Fairbanks at 70%
After a day of soaking rain and gritty work by firefighters, the 44-acre Any Creek Fire (#236) north of Fairbanks near Old Murphy Dome Road is now 70% contained. With more wet weather in the forecast, fire managers with the Alaska Division of Forestry are confident the fire located about 7 miles west of the […]
Continue reading Rain, hard work help boost containment to 35% on Any Creek Fire north of Fairbanks
June 19, 2020 Comments Off on Rain, hard work help boost containment to 35% on Any Creek Fire north of Fairbanks
With assistance from Mother Nature and a lot of hard work by firefighters, containment on the Any Creek Fire (#236) was bumped up to 35% as of Friday morning and that number should continue to climb in the next few days. The fire area about 10 miles north of Fairbanks and 7 miles west of […]
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