An aerial photo of the 102-acre Loon Lake Fire footprint taken at approximately 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Swan Lake is in the background to the right. (Kale Casey/Alaska DNR-Division of Forestry)

Loon Lake Fire 30% contained

The fire covered about 102 acres as of Wednesday.

An aerial photo of the 102-acre Loon Lake Fire footprint taken at approximately 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Swan Lake is in the background to the right. (Kale Casey/Alaska DNR-Division of Forestry)
Kenai Peninsula Borough IT Director Ben Hanson speaks with attendees at a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska. The attendees were concerned about voting measures approved by the assembly aimed at improving borough election security. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Borough)

Borough assembly approves election security measures

The new legislation only applies to borough elections. It does not apply to state or federal elections.

Kenai Peninsula Borough IT Director Ben Hanson speaks with attendees at a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska. The attendees were concerned about voting measures approved by the assembly aimed at improving borough election security. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Borough)
Kids wait to hear the winners of the bike raffle during the Family Fun in the Midnight Sun festival at the North Peninsula Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska, on June 15, 2019. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Nikiski ‘Midnight Sun’ festival to return

The event, which has been a staple of the peninsula since its debut in the 1960s, was canceled last year.

Kids wait to hear the winners of the bike raffle during the Family Fun in the Midnight Sun festival at the North Peninsula Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska, on June 15, 2019. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Lydia Jacoby participates in the Women’s 100 Breaststroke during wave 2 of the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials on Monday, June 14, 2021, in Omaha, Neb. On Tuesday Jacoby came in second to former Olympic gold medalist Lilly King in the finals, likely earning herself a spot on the Olympic team. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Jacoby likely to be 1st Alaska swimmer to make Olympics

She hopped out of the Olympic trials pool Tuesday night the second-fastest swimmer in the world for her event.

Lydia Jacoby participates in the Women’s 100 Breaststroke during wave 2 of the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials on Monday, June 14, 2021, in Omaha, Neb. On Tuesday Jacoby came in second to former Olympic gold medalist Lilly King in the finals, likely earning herself a spot on the Olympic team. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Kale Casey/Alaska DNR-Division of Forestry
An aerial photo of the 102-acre Loon Lake Fire footprint taken at approximately 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Swan Lake is in the background to the right.

Burn suspension in effect as firefighters work to contain Loon Lake Fire

The fire, about 10 miles northeast of Sterling, had grown to just over 100 acres as of Tuesday.

Kale Casey/Alaska DNR-Division of Forestry
An aerial photo of the 102-acre Loon Lake Fire footprint taken at approximately 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Swan Lake is in the background to the right.
Alaska Senate President Peter Micciche prepares for the start of a brief Senate floor session on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Lawmakers were trying to reach resolution on a state spending package during the special legislative session. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Budget talks break down as shutdown looms

Legislative leadership met for most of the day Tuesday.

Alaska Senate President Peter Micciche prepares for the start of a brief Senate floor session on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Lawmakers were trying to reach resolution on a state spending package during the special legislative session. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Chinook salmon (Michael Humling/US Fish & Wildlife Service)
Spring Chinook Salmon. Photo courtesy Michael Humling, US Fish & Wildlife Service

Fish and Game restricts Kenai, Kasilof king fishing

King salmon of any size are restricted to catch and release from the mouth of the Kenai River upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake.

Chinook salmon (Michael Humling/US Fish & Wildlife Service)
Spring Chinook Salmon. Photo courtesy Michael Humling, US Fish & Wildlife Service
A sign and road blocker at the head of the Hidden Creek Trail on Skilak Lake Road warns people about bear activity on Sunday, June 13, 2021 in Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Campers kayak to safety after Skilak bear attack

They were at the mouth of Hidden Creek along the shoreline of Skilak Lake

A sign and road blocker at the head of the Hidden Creek Trail on Skilak Lake Road warns people about bear activity on Sunday, June 13, 2021 in Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign indicates the turn for Jims’ Landing on Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 13, 2021 near Skilak Lake on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Input on environmental impact of Jims’ Landing improvements due Saturday

The boat launch is located in the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area, near Milepost 58 of the Sterling Highway.

A sign indicates the turn for Jims’ Landing on Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 13, 2021 near Skilak Lake on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Setnetters make their way back to the beach near a site on July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Personal-use setnetting opening Tuesday on Kasilof

The hours for fishing in the restricted area of the Kasilof River on Tuesday are from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Setnetters make their way back to the beach near a site on July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)
This photo taken at 11:30 a.m. today, Monday, June 14, reveals little smoke rising from the Loon Lake Fire following Sunday’s aerial attack by water and retardant bombing aircraft. The fire denoted by the burned area at the edge of the lake. (Jason Jordet/Division of Forestry Air Attack)

Flight restriction issued over Loon Lake Fire, now 15% contained

The fire was first reported on Saturday evening.

This photo taken at 11:30 a.m. today, Monday, June 14, reveals little smoke rising from the Loon Lake Fire following Sunday’s aerial attack by water and retardant bombing aircraft. The fire denoted by the burned area at the edge of the lake. (Jason Jordet/Division of Forestry Air Attack)
Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion
A participant in the Soldotna Pride March celebrates on Saturday. A group spanning five blocks marched from the Soldonta Regional Sports Complex through downtown Soldotna and gathered at Soldotna Creek Park. <strong>See story Page 2</strong>

‘A celebration of love and community’

Pride March makes its way through Soldotna

Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion
A participant in the Soldotna Pride March celebrates on Saturday. A group spanning five blocks marched from the Soldonta Regional Sports Complex through downtown Soldotna and gathered at Soldotna Creek Park. <strong>See story Page 2</strong>
Krista Schooley (left) testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Board of Education on Monday, June 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)

A ‘groundswell’: Conservative coalition seeks to expand influence on school policy

The vision of KPCCC is to “restructure and build the foundation of the 7 Mountains of Influence in our society through conservative action.”

Krista Schooley (left) testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Board of Education on Monday, June 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)
One of two baby seal pups rescued and transported to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward is seen in June 2021. (Photo provided by the Alaska SeaLife Center)

Baby seals abandoned, transported to SeaLife Center

Both the pups were in relatively stable condition.

One of two baby seal pups rescued and transported to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward is seen in June 2021. (Photo provided by the Alaska SeaLife Center)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna approves biennial budget

The council voted to fund wireless internet access at the sports complex and at Soldotna Creek Park.

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchorage man Joe Tate lifts a moose calf over the railing on the Sterling Highway near Clam Gulch on Sunday, June 6, 2021. (Photo by Andie Bock/courtesy)

Troopers don’t plan to cite man who helped baby moose

Associated Press ANCHORAGE — Alaska Wildlife Troopers do not intend to issue a citation to a man who was seen lifting a baby moose over… Continue reading

Anchorage man Joe Tate lifts a moose calf over the railing on the Sterling Highway near Clam Gulch on Sunday, June 6, 2021. (Photo by Andie Bock/courtesy)
A sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna stands near the intersection of the Sterling Highway and Kenai River on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna ends disaster declaration, utility penalty suspension

As part of the declaration, the city temporarily suspended the accrual of all penalties on past due balances and water shutoffs.

A sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna stands near the intersection of the Sterling Highway and Kenai River on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Hugarte appointed to Soldotna City Council

He has served on Soldotna’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and on the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Smoke from the Kalsin Creek Fire on Kodiak Island is seen from this aerial photo taken Saturday, June 5, 2021. The Alaska Division of Forestry responded to slew of fires in the Kenai-Kodiak region over the weekend. (Duane Morris/Division of Forestry courtesy photo)

Firefighters stop 2 Homer-area wildland fires

Large green lawn around one home kept fire from spreading on Saturday.

Smoke from the Kalsin Creek Fire on Kodiak Island is seen from this aerial photo taken Saturday, June 5, 2021. The Alaska Division of Forestry responded to slew of fires in the Kenai-Kodiak region over the weekend. (Duane Morris/Division of Forestry courtesy photo)
Smoke can be seen rising from areas scarred by the Swan Lake Fire on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 at Mile 10 of Skilak Loop Road, on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Study finds scientific evidence of “zombie fires” in Alaska, Arctic

Zombie fires in boreal forests are associated with hot summers and deep burning into organic soil.

Smoke can be seen rising from areas scarred by the Swan Lake Fire on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 at Mile 10 of Skilak Loop Road, on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)