Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
First Surge of King Salmon Enter Yukon River
The first major surge of king salmon is believed to be entering the Yukon River. The Chinook run is expected to be weak, and fishery managers have eliminated one of two weekly-subsistence fishing periods at the river’s mouth to try to get more early-run fish upstream.
‘Friends of the Children’ Eyes Fairbanks for Newest Branch
A national child mentoring program is eyeing Fairbanks for its newest branch. Duncan Campbell, founder of the Philadelphia-based nonprofit “Friends of the Children”, is in Fairbanks meeting with community members to gauge local support for the program for at-risk kids.
Ice Alaska Aims for ‘Disneyland of the North’
The World Ice Carving Exhibitor’s Association is poised close on purchase of a new venue for the annual ice art championships and kids park in Fairbanks.
Wildfire Calms Under Wet Weather
The big wild fire north of Fairbanks has calmed down with recent showery, cool weather. The Hastings fire has been burning for two weeks, but its growth has slowed in recent days.
EPA Won’t Block Bridge Crossing Tanana River
The Environmental Protection Agency will not hold up an Army Corps of Engineers permit for an Alaska Railroad bridge across the Tanana River. The EPA had objected to the proposed bridge’s location at Salcha due to fish passage and other concerns, but according to a statement from Northwest Regional Administrator Dennis McClerran the agency will not seek a national level review of the Army Corps' permit.
Frustrations Over Hastings Wildfire Rising
Cooler, wetter weather has allowed crews battling the Hastings wildfire, north of Fairbanks, to make headway. Progress is reported on line construction on the over 24,000 acres.
Hastings Fire Expected to Increase
A large acreage increase is expected when the Hastings wildfire north of Fairbanks, is re-mapped. Fire Information officer Tacy Skinner says weather condition caused major activity overnight Tuesday.
UPDATE: The Interagency Incident Management Team mapped the fire Wednesday night at 24,069 acres.
Public Input Wanted for Road to Umiat
The Army Corps of Engineers is taking public input on the state’s proposed road to Umiat. A series of meetings beginning tonight in Fairbanks seek comment as part of the scoping progress for an environmental impact statement.
Officials Add Proactive Restrictions on King Salmon
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is being proactive in anticipation of another weak king salmon return to the Yukon River. No angling will be allowed for king salmon on the main stem of the Yukon.
Fairbanks City Council Votes to Stop Fluoridation of Water System
The Fairbanks City Council has voted to stop adding fluoride to the municipal water system. The move follows a lengthy investigation by a council-appointed task force of experts.
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.