Fire

State makes it easier to rent out firefighting equipment

The state of Alaska is making it easier for people with a spare bulldozer to rent it out to during wildfire season.

Two firefighters hurt battling blaze in East Anchorage

Two Anchorage firefighters were injured Sunday afternoon fighting a house fire in East Anchorage. One was trapped when part of a roof over an outdoor deck collapsed, the Fire Department reported.

Murkowski committee staff wagered on wildfires

Severe criticism from the wildland firefighters association and the parents of a fallen firefighter have committee staffers for Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski apologizing for an office pool on how many acres wildland fires will destroy.

Alaska wildfire acreage far below average this summer

After suffering through the worst decade for wildfires in its recorded history, Alaska got a breather this summer, forestry officials say.

Crews will begin upkeep of fire break

The partnership between the Anchorage Fire Department, the Bureau of Land Management and MOA Parks & Recreation continues with an update to the shaded fuel break that was originally constructed in 2003.

Crews cut spruce to reduce fire danger

Crew are clearing out spruce trees in Chugach State Park to help reduce the threat of wildfires in Anchorage's Hillside area.

With 37 fires burning across Alaska, only one being fought

The recent hot and sunny weather has sparked a flareup in a small wildfire in the Tanana Flats.

Fairbanks-area wildfire gets reduced threat level

A wildfire near Fairbanks is being downgraded to a locally managed blaze. The fire, estimated at more than 35 square miles, is 61 percent contained. The uncontained north edge of the fire is farthest from homes and cabins.

Firefighters douse blaze at cabin near Talkeetna

Firefighters battled a fire at a cabin and garage 1 1/2 to 2 miles down Talkeetna Spur Road off the Parks Highway Thursday afternoon.

Cooling weather slows spread of Interior Alaska wildfires

Wildfire crews in Alaska are getting a break, thanks to cloudy, cool weather. The favorable weather helped crews clamp down on two Interior wildfires over the weekend.

Supply section keeps Alaska's firefighters equipped in field

Smoky air and the insistent "thwump, thwump, thwump" of helicopter blades have come to signal the arrival of an Alaska summer just as much as the whining of mosquitoes and the mellow rays of the midnight sun have always done.

NED ROZELL

Fire is a natural part of forest ecosystem

With their mushroom clouds topped with cauliflower crowns, plumes from wildfire smoke are again a common sight in Interior Alaska, which -- with barely a sprinkle of rain -- just experienced one of the driest Mays in the 100-year written record.

Cooler air, overcast skies assist in wildfire battle

Firefighters battling wildfires in Alaska's Interior are being helped by cooler temperatures, overcast skies and rain.

Fire officials warn of extremely dry conditions in Interior

Firefighters battling blazes in Interior Alaska finally got a break today with the arrival of cooler, wetter and less windy weather. But officials say the weather change won't be enough to lessen the probability in the coming week that dangerous wildfires will get started.

Borough seeks help housing firefighters

The Fairbanks North Star Borough needs help in providing services for firefighting crews battling blazes in the interior.

Crews keep Interior fire away from homes, pipeline

A wildfire burning 15 miles northeast of Fairbanks continues to grow but fire officials said efforts on Wednesday to keep it from destroying homes and reaching the trans-Alaska pipeline were successful.

Borough seeks help housing firefighters

Support services needed for Fairbanks-area firefighters

The Fairbanks North Star Borough needs help in providing services for firefighting crews battling blazes in the Interior.

Fire moves within 3 miles of subdivision near Fairbanks

A wildfire burning northwest of Fairbanks was moving closer Tuesday to a subdivision of more than a dozen homes and the trans-Alaska oil pipeline, a fire official said.

Support services needed for Fairbanks-area firefighters

Residents advised to begin moving away from wildfire

Residents advised to begin moving away from wildfire

Alaska forestry officials Monday advised residents closest to a 19-square-mile wildfire northwest of Fairbanks to move people who need special assistance as well as pets and valuables out of harm's way.

Fire closing in on pipeline; crews gain ground elsewhere

More than 500 firefighters were tackling a 16-square-mile wildfire Sunday that was inching toward structures and the trans-Alaska oil pipeline northwest of Fairbanks.

Crews try to protect pipeline, buildings from spreading fire

More than 300 firefighters aided by boats and airplanes battled Saturday to protect structures and the trans-Alaska oil pipeline from a 7,350-acre blaze burning outside Fairbanks.

Crews work to keep wildfire north of Chatanika