Alaska
Permafrost expert and military pilot among 4 killed in a helicopter crash on Alaska’s North Slope
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A helicopter crash in Alaska took the lives of a permafrost expert from the Netherlands, a pilot who recently transitioned from the military to fly charter helicopters and two other scientists conducting field work in the North Slope, one of the remotest regions in the U.S.
Ronald Daanen, 51, and Justin Germann, 27, both from Fairbanks; Tori Moore, 26, of South Bend, Indiana; and pilot Bernard “Tony” Higdon, 48, of North Pole, Alaska, all perished last week when the 1996 Bell 206 helicopter they were in crashed into a lake while they were on a scientific mission.
The three passengers were employees of Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources, working in the Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys.
Authorities in Alaska say search and rescue divers have recovered the bodies of a helicopter pilot and three state scientists whose aircraft went down in a shallow lake last week.
A rescue and recovery dive team was deployed Saturday after a helicopter with a pilot and three state workers crashed in a large lake on Alaska’s North Slope,.
Officials say no survivors have been found after a helicopter carrying a pilot and three state workers crashed in a shallow lake in Alaska’s North Slope region.
An Alaska man on a paddleboard escaped a close encounter with a humpback whale that surfaced right in front of him.
Alaska search and rescue divers recovered the bodies of a helicopter pilot and three scientists on Sunday from the sunken wreckage of the aircraft, which went down in a shallow lake about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Utqiagvik — the northernmost city in the U.S., formerly known as Barrow. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.
Daanen, a native of the Netherlands, had an ever-present smile and was also known as MacGyver because he could instantly fix anything that went wrong, whether it was repairing a generator or fixing a broken tent pole, colleagues said.
“He’s such a good-natured guy, he’s kind, he’s caring, he’s good humored,” said Howie Epstein, a professor in environmental sciences at the University of Virginia. During summer field work, they studied permafrost and changes in Arctic tundra in Canada, Alaska and Siberia.
When working on the North Slope, Daanen brought his homemade gin flavored with spruce tips, which Epstein said was “delicious.” On a tiny island in Siberia, Daanen walked in with a chunk of gouda cheese the size of a curling stone, which they ate from at every meal for a week.
Daanen and his wife, Ina Timling, also competed in the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks. They created elaborate ice sculptures that usually had a science theme, using it as an educational opportunity to teach people about permafrost and Arctic landscapes, said Anna Liljedahl, an associate scientist with the Woodwell Climate Research Center and an affiliate professor at University of Alaska Fairbanks.
“We’ve lost an amazing friend and colleague,” she said of Daanen, who was a geologist for the state.
Permafrost, frozen ground and water were key components of his work, but she said he was a brilliant scientist who had wide and varied interests.
Germann was a state hydrologist with degrees from the University of North Dakota. He paid his way through college by joining the North Dakota National Guard and had to have his parents sign off because he was just a few months shy of his 18th birthday when he joined.
“He’s determined, a young man who chased his dream and accomplished a lot in his life,” his mother Karla said.
He completed an internship in Alaska and immediately made plans to return.
“I don’t think he was ever coming back to southwest North Dakota. That was his dream to be there and kayak and just hike and ride a bike in the snow, which is beyond crazy to me,” she said with a chuckle.
The family had planned to visit Germann in Alaska in September but instead will travel this week to Fairbanks, where they are planning an informal memorial. His mother has been comforted by her son’s Alaska friends, who reached out to his family after his death.
“He had a lot of amazing friends up there, and we can’t wait to meet them,” she said.
Moore was a 2019 graduate from Indiana with a degree in geological and earth sciences. She wrote on her LinkedIn page that she was “interested in biogeochemistry, planetary science, environmental science.”
Her family declined to comment on her death.
Higdon became a full-time pilot in November, going to work for Maritime Helicopters. He had over 2,000 hours combined while flying Bell 206, Bell 407 and Eurocopter EC145 helicopters.
In a statement, the company praised Higdon: “We all knew Tony as the consummate professional and a skilled pilot. He will be greatly missed.”
He previously worked in different capacities at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks after serving more than 13 years as a military police officer with the U.S. Marine Corps.
Attempts by The Associated Press to reach Higdon’s family were unsuccessful.
___
AP researchers Jennifer Farrar and Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report.
)
While many businesses benefit from tourist spending, residents are increasingly troubled by noisy helicopters, congested streets and trails, and environmental damage. To address these issues, Juneau has struck a deal with the Cruise Lines International Association in Alaska. The agreement sets daily limits of 16,000 passengers from Sundays to Fridays, and 12,000 on Saturdays
read more
Alaska’s capital city Juneau located on the Gastineau Channel, is taking action to manage the influx of cruise ship tourists, amid rising worries about the impact on local life.
This came also after city saw a record 1.65 million cruise passengers last year, marking a 23% increase from previous highs.
While many businesses benefit from tourist spending, residents are increasingly troubled by noisy helicopters, congested streets and trails, and environmental damage. To address these issues, Juneau has struck a deal with the Cruise Lines International Association in Alaska. The agreement sets daily limits of 16,000 passengers from Sundays to Fridays, and 12,000 on Saturdays.
Alexandra Pierce, Juneau’s tourism manager, highlighted city’s stance on managing growth within its current infrastructure limitations. She highlighted the importance of balancing economic benefits with residents’ concerns and preserving local livelihoods.
Despite this effort, longtime critic of the cruise industry, Karla Hart, remains skeptical. She fears that even with the agreed limits, the city could still see record-breaking arrivals during the 22-week cruise season. Hart is advocating for a local referendum proposing “ship-free Saturdays” to protect community quality of life.
The global cruise industry, rebounding strongly post-pandemic, continues to grow with increasingly large ships. For instance, the Icon of the Seas, launched in January, accommodates over 7,000 passengers and boasts the world’s largest onboard waterpark.
Juneau’s concerns echo those of other cities worldwide grappling with social and environmental impacts from cruise tourism. Venice has banned large cruise ships from its lagoon, while Barcelona and Amsterdam have implemented restrictions and taxes to mitigate these effects.
Hart highlighted ongoing concerns about emissions, ship strikes, and climate change attributed to cruise ship and urged further measures to safeguard Juneau’s environment and community well-being.
The Supreme Court on Friday struck down a Trump-era ban on bump stocks, the rapid-fire gun accessory used in the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting that killed 60 people — including the gunman — and wounded more than 400. Alaskans reacted to the ruling Friday, many expressing mixed reactions.
| Size: 32,725.9 acres | Personnel: 49 | Start Date: June 8, 2024 | Cause: Lightning |
FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The McDonald Fire experienced thunderstorms with lightning and an estimated .15 inch of rain Thursday night. A flight over the fire Thursday afternoon showed minimal fire activity – smoldering and creeping – with some smoke on the northern edge. No fire growth was observed. The fire remains west of the Tanana River.
Isolated to scattered showers will continue the rest of Friday with widely scattered thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening. These thunderstorms could have strong and gusty winds, small hail, and lightning. A portable weather station was set up Thursday to provide a more accurate weather forecast for the fire area closest to where firefighters are working.
BLM Alaska Fire Service Smokejumpers, the Midnight Sun Hotshot Crew and the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DOF) White Mountain module continue working on structure protection on cabins to the south the fire along 5 Mile Creek. This includes more cutting and clearing around the cabins to create defensible space. Smokejumpers reached the last two remote cabin sites Thursday and will start working on constructing protection measures Friday.
Firefighters are removing fire-weakened trees along the creek to prevent blowdown that would block access and egress to the area. Keeping the creek clear will allow safe travel for firefighters and for the cabin owners after firefighters leave.
DOF has 42 personnel staged near the McDonald Fire at Harding Lake. These crews, the Pioneer Peak Hotshots and Gannet Glacier, continue fuels mitigation work at the Harding Lake State Park and are prepared to quickly respond to any new starts in the Interior.
Weather Forecast: Thunderstorms will end before midnight, but isolated to scattered showers will continue into Saturday morning. Warmer and drier conditions are expected over the weekend with a slight chance of evening thunderstorms. A high temperature of 69 degrees with a low humidity of 40% is expected for Friday.
Burn Permits: There are no DOF burn suspensions for the area. Please check https://dnr.alaska.gov/burn/fireareas or call the burn permit hotline for the Fairbanks Area Forestry at (907) 451-2631 for the most current updates.
Air Quality: The Alaska Department of Conservation Air Quality Advisory for the Central and Eastern Alaska has expired and none are issued for this area. Find information on how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke at the Smoke Management page on akfireinfo.com.
Evacuation notices: The Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) issued a Level 2: SET evacuation notice for the approximately 20 cabins that are near the fire’s southern edge. The FNSB also put areas along the lower Salcha River, Harding Lake, Hollies Acres, and Canaday neighborhoods in a READY status. Find more information and an interactive map of these areas on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Services website.
-BLM-
Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Service, P.O. Box 35005 1541 Gaffney Road, Fort Wainwright, Ak 99703
Need public domain imagery to complement news coverage of the BLM Alaska Fire Service in Alaska? Visit our Flickr channel!
Learn more at www.blm.gov/AlaskaFireService, and on Facebook and Twitter.
The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (AFS) located at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, provides wildland fire suppression services for over 240 million acres of Department of the Interior and Native Corporation Lands in Alaska. In addition, AFS has other statewide responsibilities that include: interpretation of fire management policy; oversight of the BLM Alaska Aviation program; fuels management projects; and operating and maintaining advanced communication and computer systems such as the Alaska Lightning Detection System. AFS also maintains a National Incident Support Cache with a $18.1 million inventory. The Alaska Fire Service provides wildland fire suppression services for America’s “Last Frontier” on an interagency basis with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Military in Alaska.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
28 rescued after ride malfunctions at century-old amusement park in Oregon
Partisan gridlock prevents fixes to Pennsylvania’s voting laws as presidential election looms
Malfunctioning steam room sets off alarm, prompts evacuation at Rhode Island YMCA
Chihuahua overdoses at South Carolina motel, owners arrested: police report
SDSU team creates plan for biodegradable grocery bags
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
White House says Trump’s tariffs will destroy manufacturing, exacerbate inflation
Hundreds of thousands in France protest far right ahead of snap elections
CNN finalizes rules for first Biden vs. Trump debate, RFK Jr. could still qualify
Biden looks to capitalize on star-studded Hollywood fundraiser after Trump's massive cash haul in blue state
Extinction Rebellion protesters chain themselves up outside G7 summit
-
News1 week agoWoman handcuffed in police car hit by freight train reaches $8.5M settlement
-
World1 week agoEconomy, migration: Voters' main concerns ahead of elections
-
Movie Reviews1 week agoStream It Or Skip It: ‘Under Paris’ on Netflix, a shark-in-the-Seine thriller that delivers the ludicrousness you crave
-
Politics1 week agoTrump campaign accelerates vetting of potential running mates
-
News1 week agoIsrael used a U.S.-made bomb in a deadly U.N. school strike in Gaza
-
Movie Reviews1 week agoShort Film Review: Blue and White (2022) by Hiroyuki Nishiyama
-
World1 week agoWorld leaders, veterans mark D-Day’s 80th anniversary in France
-
World1 week agoFrance to provide Ukraine with its Mirage combat aircraft