Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
State Anticipates Weak Yukon King Return
The State Fish and Game department anticipates another weak king salmon return to the Yukon River, and this spring announced the complete closure of commercial fishing.
Officials Have Aggressive Plan to Combat Hastings Wildfire
Officials managing the response to the big wildfire north of Fairbanks have some aggressive action planned. The management team is trying to stop the 12 thousand acre Hastings Fire from moving any closer to subdivisions on it northeast side.
Memorial in Fairbanks for Fort Wainwright Soldiers
Three Ft. Wainwright-based soldiers, killed by roadside bomb in Afghanistan last month, were memorialized at an on-post ceremony yesterday.
Red Salmon Return Early Ahead of Projections
A surge of red salmon is headed up the Copper River. Alaska Department of Fish and Game Glennallen area biologist Mark Sommerville says the early return is well ahead of the pre-season projection.
Fire Risk in Fairbanks Decreases
The hot, dry weather in the interior is showing some signs of easing. Fairbanks is expected to top out at 70 degrees today, with clouds, higher humidity and a few rain showers. National Weather Service Meteorologist Ted Fathauer says the interior conditions are transitioning slightly.
Weather May Help Fight Hastings Wildfire
Wildfire mangers are hoping to capitalize on the cooler, wetter weather. As KUAC’s Dan Bross reports, major work is planned for the Hastings Fire northwest of Fairbanks, which saw massive growth earlier in the week.
Lightning Causing New Wildfires
Smoke settled over Fairbanks today due to numerous area wildfires. New fires have been cropping up following a rash of lightning Sunday, and continued hot, dry weather. Among new local fires being fought is a lightning caused blaze north of Chena Hot Springs road.
Fire North of Fairbanks Draws Big Response
A wildfire north of Fairbanks is drawing a major response. The 600 acre fire north of the Chatanika River was called in Monday afternoon. The blaze has been hit with water and retardant drops, while crews attack it on the ground.
Forestry Officials Warn About Interior Fire Conditions
State Forestry officials are cautioning interior residents to be careful with anything that could spark a wildfire. Memorial Day weekend will see Alaskans out recreating during stretch of very hot dry weather, and Forestry spokeswoman Maggie Rogers says the chance of accidentally starting a wildfire is high.
Coal Creek Fire Grows to 3,000 Acres
One of two wildfires burning east of Healy has grown substantially, and could start sending smoke toward Fairbanks. The Coal Creek Fire is mapped at 3,000 acres, burning in mixed hardwoods and black spruce, about 15 miles northeast of Healy.
Near-Record High Temperatures Sweep Across Central Interior
Near record high temperatures are forecast across the central interior Friday and Saturday. Highs are expected to top out anywhere from the mid 70’s to mid 80’s across an area extending from Fairbanks to Denali Park, Delta Junction, Tok and Ft. Yukon.
Two Climbers Die in Mount Francis Avalanche
Two climbers have been killed in an avalanche in Denali National Park. The Park Service reports that 33-year-old Jiro Kurihara of Canmore, Alberta, and 28-year-old Junya Shiraishi of Sapporo, Japan were found dead in avalanche debris near the base of Mt. Francis, a 10,400 foot peak near Mt. McKinley.
Wellness Court Hold Commencement Ceremony for Alternative Justice Program Grads
The Fairbanks Wellness Court holds a commencement ceremony Thursday for graduates of the alternative justice program. The Wellness Court, which started in 2007, provides intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment, monitoring, and work or education requirements, as an alternative to jail time or other penalties.