Tag: 2019 Wildfires

In a trickle of information, fire evacuees learn fate of homes

Residents displaced by the McKinley fire are gradually finding out about their homes and property, as state begins an assessment that will take days.

Wildfires crimp Alaska’s major transportation corridor, halting tourist operations, delaying groceries

Major wildfires that flared up in Southcentral Alaska over the weekend caused road closures and delays on some of the region's busiest road corridors, forcing re-routes and long delays for locals, buses filled with tourists and trucks trying to re-supply grocery stores.

Fires burn from Homer to Mat-Su, stalling traffic, as evacuees wait for news

Fire crews and additional resources are pouring in to Alaska to help contain multiple blazes burning on and off the road system. And while cooler, calmer weather has helped, there's still no rain forecast for the days ahead.
smoke billows from a spruce forest, seen from above

This August is extremely abnormal, and fire likes it

Usually by August, peak fire season has passed. But fire and climate experts say conditions in Southcentral Alaska were nearly perfect for fire this weekend, from the sky to the dry forest floor.
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Smoke from Southcentral blazes creating unhealthy air conditions in Anchorage

Smoke from wildfires north and south of Anchorage is creating unhealthy air quality in the city.

Southcentral fires burn, traffic at a crawl on highways, evacuees tell of heavy smoke and flames

"That was an experience coming down that highway," she said. " Trees just ablaze. Smoke so heavy you could only follow the tail lights of the truck or car ahead of you."

At least 50 structures lost in McKinley fire north of Willow

A 19-mile stretch of the Parks Highway was closed some 80 miles north of Anchorage, as authorities called for the evacuation of a subdivision that only has one road in and out.

Fires north and south of Anchorage close highways, trigger evacuations

High winds, dry conditions have caused the fires to grow rapidly.
Runners prepare to start the 2014 Mt. Marathon race in Seward. (Photo by Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN - Seward)

Mount Marathon Race officials offer deferral due to wildfires smoke

Normally, runners can defer only under very special circumstances. But this year marathon officials are granting all runners an option to defer their registration to 2020 due to the wildfire smoke expected to remain in the area.

Anchorage health care providers see more respiratory complaints with wildfire smoke

Anchorage health care providers have seen more patients with respiratory problems in recent days because of poor air quality. Air quality advisories can be found on the DEC website.