Author: The Tundra Drums Staff
As winter temperatures drop across Anchorage, city officials are reminding drivers that plugging in engine block heaters when temperatures reach 20°F or colder can make a meaningful difference for both vehicles and local air quality. According to the Anchorage Health Department, using an engine block heater helps vehicles start more efficiently in extreme cold, reduces cold-start exhaust emissions, and contributes to improved air quality during winter inversions. To support this effort, the Anchorage Health Department is offering free outlet timers to residents, available while supplies last. These timers help ensure block heaters are used efficiently, reducing unnecessary electricity use while…
The Klondike Highway is closed today, Sunday, Dec. 28, due to blizzard conditions and an elevated avalanche hazard, officials announced. Transportation authorities said severe weather, including strong winds, blowing snow, and reduced visibility, has made travel unsafe along the highway. Avalanche risk in nearby mountainous terrain also contributed to the decision to close the route. The closure is expected to remain in effect overnight, with crews planning to assess conditions Monday morning, Dec. 29, before determining whether it is safe to reopen the highway. Travelers are advised to avoid the area and delay trips until conditions improve. Updates on the…
Transportation officials are warning travelers and residents of increased avalanche risk above Thane Road as winter weather intensifies over the next several days. According to the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, forecasts indicate the potential for heavy snowfall, strong winds, and warming at higher elevations from December 27 through December 30, 2025. These conditions can rapidly raise avalanche danger on steep slopes above Thane Road and increase the likelihood that an avalanche could reach the roadway. DOT&PF is reminding all travelers to strictly follow posted warning signs and to avoid stopping or parking within the avalanche zone. Officials…
Snow has arrived across Southeast Alaska, with spotter reports indicating snowfall is increasing in both intensity and coverage across the region, according to the National Weather Service in Juneau. As of mid-morning Saturday, several communities had already reported measurable snow accumulation. Security Bay, southwest of Kake, reported 3.2 inches by 9:42 a.m. Yakutat recorded 2.6 inches as of 8:30 a.m., while Gustavus saw 4.25 inches by 10:15 a.m. Additional reports included 2 inches in the Haines and Mud Bay area by 9:50 a.m., 1.1 inches in Mendenhall Valley near the National Weather Service office by 9 a.m., and approximately three-quarters…
December 22, 2025 DR-4893-AK MA-005 FEMA News Desk: (425) 487-4610 fema-r10-newsdesk@fema.dhs.gov ANCHORAGE, Alaska – FEMA’s dedicated Alaska Call Center is supporting survivors impacted by the October West Coast Storms. The call center will be closed Dec. 24, 25, and 26, and will reopen Saturday, Dec. 27. The call center is open 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. It is closed on Sundays. Survivors may contact the call center at 1-866-342-1699. Yup’ik translators are available to support the call center from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday,…
The Fox Well is currently closed as facilities crews work on-site to resolve an operational issue, officials said. Maintenance says the well is expected to remain down for several hours while repairs are completed. Crews are actively working to restore service, and an update will be shared once the well reopens. Also Read: Archangel Road in Hatcher Pass Closed for Winter Residents are thanked for their patience as work continues. Further information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.
Students across Alaska are reminded that applications for the 2026–2027 Student Representative to the State Board of Education are due December 26. The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development is seeking a student to serve in an advisory role to the Alaska State Board of Education. The selected student will learn about board processes, participate in meetings, provide student perspectives on education issues, and travel to Juneau as part of the role. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an Alaska public school and be a freshman, sophomore, or junior at the time of application. Required materials include a letter…
Public Works officials announced that snow removal operations have been temporarily suspended due to extreme cold weather, with temperatures reaching –30°F and colder. According to Public Works, conditions at these temperatures make it unsafe to operate snow removal equipment. Extreme cold can cause mechanical failures, reduce equipment reliability, and significantly increase safety risks for operators working outdoors for extended periods. Officials said both personnel safety and the protection of critical machinery are key concerns during such severe weather. As a result, snow clearing and related operations will remain on hold until temperatures rise to levels considered safe for equipment operation…
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation is inviting applications for its Investment Intern position, an opportunity that places interns at the center of managing one of Alaska’s most important financial assets. According to APFC, the selected intern will work directly with the Fund’s Chief Investment Officer, gaining first-hand exposure to how long-term investment decisions are made on behalf of all Alaskans. The internship is designed to provide practical insight into asset allocation, portfolio analysis, and the overall structure of institutional investment management. Interns will also gain experience across multiple investment asset classes, along with exposure to risk management and compliance practices…
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…