Wildfires

A Forest Service fire crew gets brief during an operation. Fire crews from Alaska are frequently deployed to the Lower 48 to help combat wildfires that are growing larger and closer to urban areas in many cases. (Courtesy photo / Parker Anders)

Into the fire: Alaska’s wildlands firefighters eye coming dry season

Alaska’s wildlands firefighters lend a hand where needed nationwide.

 

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

Burn permits required starting Friday

The wildfire season ends on Aug. 31 — unless extended via an emergency order

 

Kachemak Emergency Services Chief Bob Cicciarella provides an update on the North Fork and Caribou Lake fires on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at a community meeting at McNeil Canyon Elementary School near Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Firefighters making progess on Caribou Lake Fire

With the Caribou Lake Fire now estimated at 900 acres and 20% contained, better weather conditions have made officials optimistic about progress in stopping it.… Continue reading

 

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.