Graphic courtesy of NOAA.

A wildfire east of Fairbanks is drawing a massive air and ground response. The Kanuti fire started in a neighborhood off Chena Hot Springs Road, near Mile 17.

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State Division of Forestry spokeswoman Maggie Rogers says things are going well.

“We continue to have no evacuations,” Rogers said. “We continue to have no structures lost, and the fire is an estimated 120 acres.”

“It’s not contained, but they’re gonna be working on that today.”

Chena Hot Springs Road is open, but Rodgers warns there could be traffic delays depending on fire and suppression activities, which are occurring on both sides of the road. Rodgers says the Kanuti fire is human caused but could not provide details, as an investigation is underway.

She says numerous wild fires are being responded to as hot dry windy conditions persist. Red Flag warnings for extreme fire danger are in effect for much of the state south of the Brooks Range and Rogers encourages Alaskans to be ready.

“Creating defensive space around their home, it’s important that rehearse evacuation plans with family members,” Rogers said. “People with dog teams and horses and other things like that, it’s always good to not only plan for your family, but plan for your pets as well.”

Rogers also recommends clearly marking your home’s address, identifying any alternative routes out of your neighborhood and having non-local phone contact who can relay fire information if the power goes out.

Fairbanks Natural Gas has released details of a North Slope to Fairbanks gas trucking project proposal. The documents lay out costs and components of a system to treat and liquefy gas, including propane, and load it onto tanker trucks for shipment south.

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The long time tug of war over the name of North America’s highest peak was back in front of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday.

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Ranking committee member Lisa Murkowski recorded a win after Senate Bill 155, a one page piece of legislation, passed out of committee in favor of changing the name to Denali. Senator Murkowski says she’s defending the true Alaskan name for the majestic peak.

“It deserves to be called the name that the Athabascans from the Interior have called it for decades and decades and decades. I think it’s important that we honor and tribute Alaska’s First peoples by officially recognizing ‘The Big One’ as Denali,” Murkowski said.

True to the script of this long running saga, Ohio Republican Senator Rob Portman voted against the change, saying he is defending Ohio where President William McKinley was born and served as a Governor in the 1800s. Portman also says, the name of the National Park has already been changed to Denali.

“I know Athabascan’s do call it Denali, there are a couple other Native peoples who call it other things, there are two other names at least the Aleuts use and another Native group, but the point is, we’d like to keep our Mount McKinley within the Denali National Park,” Portman said.

The committee approved the bill by a voice vote. That clears it for consideration by the full Senate although it’s not certain that it will make it to the floor.

The village of Chignik Lagoon on the Alaska Peninsula, with a year round population of around 70, hopes to break ground this season on a small, long-awaited hydroelectric project. For a price tag of about 2.5 million dollars, the simple system may produce as much power as the village typically needs. This is one of several alternative energy projects the Lake and Peninsula Borough has undertaken in an effort to lower costs and ease off of fossil fuels in its villages.

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More than 20 kids graduated from Bethel’s Alaska Youth Academy’s summer camp last Friday. The idea is to encourage kids in the area to consider law enforcement careers.

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Individual news stories are posted on the APRN news page. You can subscribe to APRN’s newsfeeds via email, podcast and RSS. Follow us on Facebook at alaskapublic.org and on Twitter @aprn

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Treadwell To Run For Senate

Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC

Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell is running for Senate. He announced early Tuesday he will not seek reelection and instead will try and win the GOP nomination to take on Senator Mark Begich.

Sealaska Lands Bill Passes Senate Committee

Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – Juneau

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski’s version of the Sealaska lands bill has passed out of its only committee of referral.

Legislation Would Keep Petition Signatures Off Public Record

Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN – Juneau

Supporters of various initiatives are out in full force collecting signatures with the purpose of getting on next year’s ballot. Those signatures become part of the public record, and anyone can access these lists. A Republican senator from Fairbanks wants that to change, but some activists are worried his proposal could have unintended consequences.

Wildfire Near Chena Hot Springs Road Prompts Massive Response

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

A wildfire east of Fairbanks is drawing a massive air and ground response. The Kanuti fire started in a neighborhood off Chena Hot Springs Road near Mile 17.

Fairbanks Natural Gas Releases Trucking Project Details

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

Fairbanks Natural Gas has released details of a North Slope to Fairbanks gas trucking project proposal.  The documents lay out costs and components of a system to treat and liquefy gas, including propane, and load it onto tanker trucks for shipment south.

Federal Regulators Crack Down On Fish Fraud

Stephanie Joyce, KUCB – Unalaska

In the wake of several high-profile cases of alleged scale-tampering by Bering Sea groundfish vessels, the National Marine Fisheries Service is revising its regulations for weighing fish at-sea. The new measures are aimed at making it more difficult for vessels to underreport their catch.

McKinley To Denali Name Change Legislation Passes Out Of Senate Committee

Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage

The long time tug of war over the name of North America’s highest peak was back in front of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today. Ranking committee member Lisa Murkowski recorded a win after Senate Bill 155, a one page piece of legislation, passed out of committee in favor of changing the name to Denali.

Chignik Lagoon Hopes To Break Ground On Hydro Project

Dave Bendinger, KDLG – Dillingham

The village of Chignik Lagoon on the Alaska Peninsula, with a year round population of around 70, hopes to break ground this season on a small, long-awaited hydroelectric project. For a price tag of about 2.5 million dollars, the simple system may produce as much power as the village typically needs. This is one of several alternative energy projects the Lake and Peninsula Borough has undertaken in an effort to lower costs and ease off of fossil fuels in its villages.

Youth Camp Teaches Rural Teens Public Safety Skills

Kyle Clayton, KYUK – Bethel

More than 20 kids graduated from Bethel’s Alaska Youth Academy’s summer camp last Friday.  The idea is to encourage kids in the area to consider law enforcement careers.

The Russian River sanctuary will open to sockeye salmon sport fishing Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. and is expected to remain open until Sunday, July 14 at 11:59 p.m., according to an emergency order issued by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

The daily bag and possession limits will remain at three sockeye salmon.

“The Department has projected that the early-run sockeye salmon spawning escapement goal of 22,000 – 42,000 sockeye salmon will be achieved,” Fish and Game said in a press release.

The department also reminds anglers to remove fish carcasses from the Russian River clear water and to be sure personal belongings and stringers of fish are closely attended.