Climate Change

Historical sites across Western Alaska face existential threats, and the lead archaeologist for the Nunalleq excavation says its success is a stark reminder that it may not be long before many more precontact Yup’ik sites are lost forever.

As the Northern Bering Sea ecosystem emerges from the extraordinary warmth that wreaked havoc on Alaska fisheries, wildlife, and communities, a study warns of likely future occurrences.

It’s the largest one-time climate-change related federal grant award to Alaska, ever.

Michael Sfraga, from Fairbanks, is "probably the most recognized go-to Arctic expert that we have," Sen. Lisa Murkowski said.

Researchers believe that if permafrost thaw continues at its current rate and mercury keeps being released, it could pose a real threat to many communities throughout northern and western Alaska.

Authorities announced the approval of $108.8 million for Alaskan communities reeling from 2022’s Typhoon Merbok.

Over roughly five years of flying out of Kotzebue to locations on the Baldwin and Seward Peninsulas to conduct research, the team has noticed dramatic changes in the landscape.

High winds caused a small fire at the landfill in Quinhagak to quickly spread to the nearby tundra earlier this week, threatening the community and coming within feet of an active archaeological dig.

The Bureau of Land Management says it hasn’t determined the cause of the roughly 800-acre surface blaze north of the lower Yukon River community of Marshall.

If blazes break out in parts of the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, firefighters will protect the layers of forest floor and permafrost that hold carbon.