Author: The Tundra Drums Staff
The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection has issued a High Fire Danger Advisory for much of Southcentral Alaska, citing strong winds and a lack of snow cover that are creating conditions where fires can ignite and spread rapidly. The advisory covers wide areas, including the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, the Anchorage Municipality, and regions extending toward Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak. Officials say recent weather patterns have combined strong winds with exposed dry grasses, brush, and trees, increasing the risk of fast-moving fires. Local fire departments have already responded to multiple incidents in the wildland-urban interface, where fires were sparked by…
A trooper with the Washington State Patrol was killed Friday evening while investigating a crash along State Route 509 in Tacoma, authorities confirmed. According to the Washington State Patrol, the trooper was on scene responding to a traffic collision when the fatal incident occurred. Emergency responders were dispatched to the area, but the trooper was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials have not yet released the trooper’s name, pending notification of next of kin. Details surrounding the circumstances of the crash and how the trooper was struck have also not been made public. The incident remains under active investigation. Traffic…
A 28-year-old woman who had been reported missing earlier this month was found dead Friday near Anchorage’s Basher Trailhead, according to police. The victim was identified as Kaitlyn Kaganak. Authorities said her body was discovered in the area of Basher Trailhead, a popular access point to trails in the eastern part of the city. The Anchorage Police Department confirmed the discovery and said officers responded to the area after receiving information that led them to the scene. Kaganak had been reported missing earlier this month, prompting an investigation and efforts to locate her. Police stated that next of kin have…
Drivers in Sitka are being urged to use extra caution after the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities reported icy road conditions and a piece of highway equipment currently out of service. According to DOT&PF, winter weather has led to slippery driving conditions across parts of the road system. With reduced traction and ongoing maintenance activity, officials are advising motorists to slow down, allow extra travel time, and adjust driving behavior to match current conditions. DOT&PF recommends increasing following distance to reduce the risk of sliding, braking and accelerating gently, and taking turns slowly while avoiding sudden lane changes.…
Western Canada is currently experiencing one of the most severe cold events on the planet, as temperatures in parts of the Yukon have plunged to approximately –60 degrees Celsius, marking the coldest air mass anywhere on Earth at this time. According to meteorological observations, an intense Arctic air mass has settled over northern regions of Canada, driving temperatures far below seasonal averages. Communities across the Yukon have reported dangerously low wind chill values, with conditions severe enough to pose immediate risks of frostbite and hypothermia within minutes of outdoor exposure. Weather experts say the extreme cold is the result of…
Here is your weekly seismic update from the Alaska Earthquake Center for Christmas Eve, where earthquake activity is monitored 24 hours a day. Over the past week, Alaska recorded about 650 earthquakes. The largest was a magnitude 4.7 earthquake in the western Aleutian Islands. The second largest, a magnitude 4.6 near Yakutat, was an aftershock of the magnitude 7.0 Hubbard Glacier earthquake that struck on December 6. Why Aftershocks Are Decreasing Aftershocks from the Hubbard Glacier earthquake are still happening, but their number and strength are slowly decreasing. This is a typical pattern after a large earthquake. Also Read: What’s…
For the second day in a row, the Juneau Airport has set a new record low temperature, this time for December 20. According to official weather data, temperatures at the airport dropped to 7 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, breaking the previous December 20 record by two degrees. The reading marks another notable cold-weather milestone for the capital city, where such extreme lows are relatively uncommon. Temperatures later rebounded slightly as conditions changed. By Saturday night, readings climbed back above zero, reaching the teens in downtown Juneau and at the airport. Meteorologists attributed the improvement to increased winds, which helped mix…
At 8:03 a.m. MST (7:03 a.m. PST), the Northern Hemisphere officially tilts into winter with the arrival of the winter solstice, the astronomical event that marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. The winter solstice occurs when Earth’s axial tilt positions the Northern Hemisphere farthest away from the sun. As a result, the sun follows its lowest and shortest path across the sky, bringing minimal daylight to northern regions. While today represents the darkest day of the year in terms of daylight hours, it also signals a turning point. Beginning tomorrow, daylight will gradually increase each day,…
The required Air Emergency for the Mendenhall Valley has been officially canceled after air quality levels returned to healthy ranges, according to the City and Borough of Juneau. Officials thanked residents for their cooperation and patience during the Air Emergency, particularly given the ongoing cold weather conditions. While calling an Air Emergency during a cold snap may appear counterintuitive, city leaders emphasized that such decisions are driven by public health requirements and air quality data rather than temperature alone. Why Air Emergencies Are Called in Juneau Under the federal Clean Air Act of 1970, communities like Juneau are required to…
December 18, 2025 DR-4893-AK MA-004 FEMA News Desk: (425) 487-4610 Email: fema-r10-newsdesk@fema.dhs.gov ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Bethel Assistance Hub, staffed with FEMA representatives to support Alaskans impactedby October’s West Coast Storms, will be temporarily closed tomorrow, Dec. 19, and will reopen at 10 a.m. Jan. 6, 2026. When the Bethel hub is open, specialists help survivors apply for disaster assistance, answer questions, and upload required documents. The hub is open 10 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Location AVCP Tugkar Building 570 3rd Ave., Bethel, AK 99559 If you’re unable to visit the hub and still need FEMA assistance, there are other…
An avalanche safety workshop aimed at increasing winter backcountry awareness and preparedness will be held in Fairbanks on Saturday, January 10, 2026. The event, titled “Avalanche Safety,” is hosted by Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Fairbanks and will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center. The workshop is designed to provide participants with essential knowledge and skills related to avalanche awareness, risk assessment, and safe travel practices in snowy and mountainous terrain. Organizers say the program is intended for individuals interested in winter outdoor activities, including hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, and other backcountry recreation.…
Alaska State Parks is inviting residents to welcome the new year outdoors by participating in the 13th Annual First Day Hike, hosted in partnership with the Delta Junction Trail Association (DJTA) on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The event will take place from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at River Walk Park in Delta Junction. Participants are encouraged to hike, ski, or snowshoe along easy, family-friendly trails as a way to begin the new year with outdoor activity and community engagement. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by state parks across all 50 states, promoting wellness, movement,…