Overnight rain slows Swan Lake fire
Fire managers say the 162,000-acre blaze on the Kenai Peninsula remains a threat, but much-needed rain has reduced smoke and fire activity.
wildfires
Groceries delayed, reservations canceled as the Swan Lake fire tangled traffic on the Sterling Highway
The highway is a crucial artery linking Anchorage and Kenai Peninsula communities from Cooper Landing to Homer. Getting through has been touch-and-go the past couple of weeks.
Firefighters make progress as Swan Lake fire grows to nearly 162,000 acres
Meanwhile, the two primary wildfires in the Susitna Valley are now more than 70% contained.
Rain is in the forecast for Southcentral Alaska, but not enough to put out wildfires
Even a little rain would be welcome, the weather service says, with parts of the region in extreme drought and fire danger high.
A summer of weather extremes set up Alaska for devastating August wildfires. Scientists say it’s likely to happen again.
“This is a rare event,” said Rick Thoman, a climate scientist. “It will be less rare in the future.”
Susitna Valley wildfire evacuees will have to wait days to return home
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough declared a disaster emergency Tuesday over multiple wildfires, the largest of which destroyed dozens of structures.
Swan Lake fire puts Cooper Landing under ‘be ready’ evacuation notice
By Sunday evening, the western edge of the fire was about 5 miles from Cooper Landing.
Wind-driven wildfire between Willow and Talkeetna prompts evacuation notice
The wildfire Saturday was one of several Mat-Su fires that officials say resulted from strong winds either knocking down power lines or causing trees to fall on power lines.
Widespread lightning strikes trigger Alaska wildfires
Thousands of strikes have been recorded the past few days, officials said. Nineteen new fires were reported Monday and four more spotted Tuesday.
Interior Alaska wildfire expected to be contained by Saturday evening
The size of the fire is estimated at about 250 acres total, a spokesman for the state's forestry division said.
First large wildfire of the summer burns in Interior Alaska
A tree fell on a power line near Delta Junction, sparking the first large wildlife of the season, a fire official said.
Agencies weigh sending firefighters south amid increasing risk in Alaska
Hot and dry conditions in Alaska this week have prompted calls for careful evaluation of firefighter assignment to wildfires in the Lower 48.
Agencies weigh sending firefighters south amid increasing risk in Alaska
Hot and dry conditions in Alaska this week have prompted calls for careful evaluation of firefighter assignment to wildfires in the Lower 48.
Wet weather aids firefighters in Southwest Alaska; growing blaze blows smoke into Fairbanks
Fires have burned at least 44,000 acres in Southwest Alaska as of Friday, the Alaska Division of Forestry said.
Lightning ignites wildfires in Southwest and Western Alaska
Flames have closed to within 2 miles of two villages in the region, including a fire near Crooked Creek that is now the state's No. 1 priority wildfire.
Crews get 'better handle' on containing wildfire near Tok
The North Robertson fire has grown to roughly 1,000 acres.
Crews get 'better handle' on containing wildfire near Tok
The North Robertson fire has grown to roughly 1,000 acres.
Jury finds Anchorage couple not guilty in Sockeye fire case
The jury cleared defendants Greg Imig and Amy DeWitt of all the dozen charges against them related to the 2015 wildfire.
Jurors begin deliberations in Sockeye wildfire trial
After weeks of testimony, jurors will begin deliberating Thursday as to whether or not an Anchorage couple is responsible for starting the destructive 2015 blaze.
Woman accused of starting Sockeye wildfire testifies in own defense
Amy DeWitt, one of two defendants charged with starting the destructive 2015 blaze, said her burn pile was cold when the Sockeye wildfire started.