Wildfire Closes Alaska Highway Near Tok

From an article in today's Daily News:

A wildfire that quickly flared to more than 1,700 acres near Tok on Wednesday evening prompted state officials to evacuate two small communities and to close a 26-mile stretch of the Alaska Highway.

~snip~

The highway was closed from Tok to Cathedral Bluffs 26 miles to the west because of concerns the fire could jump the road. When it was reported by a private aircraft about 5 p.m. the fire was 5 acres and a quarter mile south of the highway.

Fire officials late Wednesday night reported that the fire jumped to the north side of the highway, where firefighters were working to contain 20 acres that were burning.

Read more at the link.

... In other news, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline may remain closed through tomorrow, as a result of the spill at the Delta Junction pumping station. Pipeline operators want to insure that everything is safe before resuming operations. Under the circumstances, I think that's a good thing.


... Well, if you can't do the right thing, then just go off in all directions. "WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration today will suspend planned exploratory oil drilling in the Arctic Ocean off Alaska until at least 2011, a casualty of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill."


While the finger-pointers form their traditional circle in the District of Clowns, the rest of us must go on. November can't come soon enough; we can only pray that it will be enough.