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Residents attend a community meeting to discuss the Swan Lake Fire in Sterling, on Thursday. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Fire officials address community concerns

The latest infrared mapping puts the fire at 142,542 acres.

Residents attend a community meeting to discuss the Swan Lake Fire in Sterling, on Thursday. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
This map shows the Swan Lake Fire on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska as of Aug. 22, 2019. (Photo courtesy Great Basin Incident Management Team 1)

Swan Lake Fire shows little growth on Thursday

The latest infrared mapping puts the fire at 142,542 acres.

This map shows the Swan Lake Fire on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska as of Aug. 22, 2019. (Photo courtesy Great Basin Incident Management Team 1)
Wildfires cancel prep sports, Lost Lake Run

Wildfires cancel prep sports, Lost Lake Run

All outdoor athletic activities and events at or hosted by Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools have been canceled until further notice, according to a… Continue reading

Wildfires cancel prep sports, Lost Lake Run
Candidates announced for Oct. 1 municipal elections

Candidates announced for Oct. 1 municipal elections

There are a number of open seats on the Borough Assembly, the School Board and Service Area boards.

Candidates announced for Oct. 1 municipal elections
Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Mayor declares emergency disaster

Declaration cites Swan Lake Fire near Sterling as threatening severe damage to life and property.

Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai River meets Kenai Lake on Friday, Aug. 9, in Cooper Landing . (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Flood advisory issued for Kenai Lake, Upper Kenai River

The advisory is in effect until Friday.

The Kenai River meets Kenai Lake on Friday, Aug. 9, in Cooper Landing . (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and two employee associations — The Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Association and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Support Association — negotiate for a new contract on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, at the Soldotna High School Library, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

School starts without a new contract

If no agreement can be made the employee associations said they will be ready to strike in September

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and two employee associations — The Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Association and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Support Association — negotiate for a new contract on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, at the Soldotna High School Library, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
One-two punch: Planned Parenthood in Alaska loses state and federal funding

One-two punch: Planned Parenthood in Alaska loses state and federal funding

The organization will no longer receive Title X funds.

One-two punch: Planned Parenthood in Alaska loses state and federal funding
Caribou Lake Fire now at 700 acres; North Fork Fire danger is less

Caribou Lake Fire now at 700 acres; North Fork Fire danger is less

Both fires threaten homes and cabins in areas north and east of Homer.

Caribou Lake Fire now at 700 acres; North Fork Fire danger is less
Fire crews are briefed on the day’s operations at the Otter Creek Spike Camp on Aug. 21, 2019. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)

Swan Lake Fire prompts highway closure, burn ban

The closure is due to heavy smoke and poor visibility in the area

Fire crews are briefed on the day’s operations at the Otter Creek Spike Camp on Aug. 21, 2019. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)
Members of The Rebel Blues Band perform at a recent gig in Anchorage. (Photo by Tasha Skolnick)

Soldotna Music Series to wrap up with Alaska musicians

The concert will be headlined by The Rebel Blues Band, a blues quintet from Anchorage and Soldotna.

Members of The Rebel Blues Band perform at a recent gig in Anchorage. (Photo by Tasha Skolnick)
In this Tuesday, April 9, 2019 photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Governor reluctant to consider oil taxes

Will taxes might cause companies to leave?

In this Tuesday, April 9, 2019 photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen makes a presentation to the university’s Board of Regents at the UAS Recreation Center on Sept. 15, 2016. A declaration of financial exigency that would have allowed University of Alaska to make drastic cuts was rescinded Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen makes a presentation to the university’s Board of Regents at the UAS Recreation Center on Sept. 15, 2016. A declaration of financial exigency that would have allowed University of Alaska to make drastic cuts was rescinded Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Water can be seen on foliage after a rainstorm on July 14, 2019, in Kalifornsky, Alaska. The last significant rain to fall on the peninsula was July 26-28. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Drought persists on peninsula

After three weeks without rain, peninsula has slight chance of showers this weekend.

Water can be seen on foliage after a rainstorm on July 14, 2019, in Kalifornsky, Alaska. The last significant rain to fall on the peninsula was July 26-28. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway, Alaska, on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

1st day of school delayed for Cooper Landing

School is scheduled to open with a 2-hour delay Wednesday

Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway, Alaska, on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A truck on the Sterling Highway plows through ash produced by the Swan Lake Fire on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Fire crews battle Swan Lake Fire after weekend of expansion

Crews are working to create new control lines and keep the fire away from the highway

A truck on the Sterling Highway plows through ash produced by the Swan Lake Fire on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
This photo of the Caribou Lake fire was taken about 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska, about two hours after Ian Pitzman texted a message reporting the fire to his wife, Stephanie Pitzman, via an inReach satellite communication device. (Photo by Ian Pitzman)

New fire flares up near Caribou Lake

Smokejumpers and air crews were on the 50- to 100-acre fire about 1.5 miles northwest of the lake.

This photo of the Caribou Lake fire was taken about 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska, about two hours after Ian Pitzman texted a message reporting the fire to his wife, Stephanie Pitzman, via an inReach satellite communication device. (Photo by Ian Pitzman)
Michael Armstrong / Homer News                                A spruce tree flares up in the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening near Homer.

Homer area fire flares up

‘Ready’ alert issued for Diamond Ridge, south North Fork areas

Michael Armstrong / Homer News                                A spruce tree flares up in the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening near Homer.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs House Bill 2001 at his office in Anchorage on Monday, August 19, 2019. (Courtesy photo)

Governor signs off on $1,600 PFD, calls for third special session

Dunleavy says remainder of PFD will be sole focus for next special session.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs House Bill 2001 at his office in Anchorage on Monday, August 19, 2019. (Courtesy photo)
A map of the Swan Lake Fire as of Aug. 19, 2019. (Courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry)

Traffic on Sterling Highway stopped due to Swan Lake Fire behavior

As of Monday evening the fire was 138,479 acres.

A map of the Swan Lake Fire as of Aug. 19, 2019. (Courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry)