Alaska Desk

“Here's the hard truth, folks: Alaska's not ready yet,” U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said in her keynote speech.

The fire is still gaining ground in the northwest, and lightning could spark more fires in the coming days.

Fire officials say a downed power line sparked the fire on Monday. Since then, it’s has damaged or destroyed at least 20 homes and burned about 8 square miles around the eastern Interior Alaska community.

More than 100 firefighters from around the state are working to control the main fire as well as new flareups nearby.

The Mukluk Fire, which was reported shortly before noon on Monday in the backyard of a home on the Alaska Highway, has grown to about 4.5 miles and is still spreading.

Thousands of households rely on the company’s wood to keep warm through the Interior’s brutal winters.

“It's a beautiful blend of performance, artistry, and athleticism,” a fan said. “And you get to scream a lot.”

Environmental groups say the transfer would erode federal subsistence rights and speed up resource development projects, like the proposed Ambler Road.

“Six years ago, if you would have told me I'd be doing this, I’d think you were insane,” said one Toolik worker. “But this has probably been one of the coolest turns in my life that I didn't know I needed.”

The drilling project would take place near Delta Junction and the Tanana River.