Governor Bill Walker declared a state disaster in the tiny Interior community of Alatna on Sunday after a fire earlier this month damaged the village's water treatment facility, forcing residents to travel five miles across the frozen Koyukuk River to reach the nearest potable water.
The April 15 fire and resulting smoke damaged not only the treatment facility but also the clinic and washeteria in the village of about 35 people, located 190 miles northwest of Fairbanks on the banks of the Koyukuk River.
The nearest neighboring village is Allakaket.
In recent days, residents have been able to cross the still-frozen Koyukuk River to reach Allakaket. But officials fear that may become dangerous as river breakup nears, and want to set up a temporary water access point before then.
"We do not want to force people to unnecessarily travel in dangerous conditions for clean water," Walker said in a release from his office Sunday.
The temporary system will allow residents to draw water directly from an undamaged well, said Jeremy Zidek, spokesperson for the state's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Breakup on the river is expected within the next two weeks, so the work will happen soon, Zidek said.
"It's not an extremely difficult project, we just have to get repair people out," he said.
More extensive repairs will be necessary for the treatment facility, washeteria and clinic. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, Zidek said.
The Governor's disaster declaration triggers funding for temporary and permanent repairs to the damaged systems.
The total cost of repairs is estimated at under $400,000, Zidek said.
This is a developing story. Check back for details.