This photo of the flames nearing the bulk fuel tanks was taken earlier this morning. The existing school is totally destroyed. Currently, the weather is good— it is not sub-zero; neither Bethel airport or Hooper Bay are fog-bound; it is not the autumn gales.
When the crisis slows, I hope the Village will let us know what they found worked and what didn’t work in their response plans.
Ironically, since April, the state has been waiting for the City of Bethel to host a preparedness exercise that would also involve all the other Villages in our region (the state is only doing regional meetings). The City didn’t respond. In early June, the Bethel Fire Chief and other leaders said publicly that there was no need to do disaster planning except at the airport—
- we are not unprepared
- dispatcher must have been new
- we’ve done it before
- we survived
- will be tough but we shelter our own
- we have food on the shelves
- we have the oil tank farm
- we make our own water
- we have electricity
- Katrina? that was Louisiana
Fire still raging in Hooper Bay
By ALEX deMARBAN, Anchorage Daily News
Published: August 3, 2006, Last Modified: August 3, 2006 at 11:56 AM
A state forestry helicopter that scoops water from lakes is on its way to the Western Alaska village of Hooper Bay to help fight a raging fire that’s destroyed the elementary school, teacher housing and up to 10 private homes, state officials said.
At least 250 people have been evacuated from threatened homes. The helicopter, from McGrath, should arrive early this afternoon.
Public Safety Commissioner Bill Tandeske says the school and nearby buildings have burned to the ground and ten homes have also burned.
Officials with the Alaska National Guard say a grocery store has caught fire and dozens of other buildings, including city hall, are threatened…
Volunteer firefighters from the larger community of Bethel, about 154 miles southeast, are also flying to Hooper Bay to fight the fire, officials said….
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/rural/story/8036906p-7930027c.html
Pam said:
Photo courtesy of Hooper Bay Police Chief James Hoelscher.
Last Modified: August 3, 2006 at 04:08 PM
“The fire roared to within 300 feet of the bulk fuel tank farm, threatening it for a time, according to the Alaska State Troopers. The fuel tanks are separated from the fire by a road. About 2 p.m., trooper spokesman Greg Wilkinson reported that the fire had begun to settle down and was no longer advancing, and the tank farm apparently was out of danger.”
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/rural/story/8036906p-7930027c.html
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Pam said:
Assistance is coming from
Bethel
Nome
Chevak
Scammon Bay
McGrath
Anchorage
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Pam said:
http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/images/Hooper_B.gif location map
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Pam said:
“(This is the complete 30-minute program as broadcast on APRN; individual stories will also be available)
Fire engulfs school and surrounding buildings in Hooper Bay
By Annie Feidt, APRN, Jesse Zink, KNOM, and host Duncan Moon, APRN
A fire raged through the Western Alaska village of Hooper Bay Thursday. The fire has destroyed 16 structures, including the school, teacher housing, at least 12 homes and a general store. Trooper spokesman Greg Wilkinson says the fire is no longer advancing, but is not fully contained.
Fire’s effects felt throughout Hooper Bay community
By Emily Meehan, APRN
Hooper Bay is a small community home to 1,100 people. Most residents have family members or friends who lost a home in the fire. ”
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/apti/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=950321
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Pam said:
Today’s summary
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/rural/story/8039262p-7932230c.html
Aerial view
http://www.adn.com/ips_rich_content/182-HooperFire-400-x-200.jpg
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Pam said:
Anchorage Daily News is supposed to have a special photo section, but their link isn’t working yet. Today’s news story lists the info for Salavation Army, which will be helping, and gives examples of some of the planning the community will do for this fall’s schooling, etc.
Fire crews knock down Hooper Bay blaze (08-03-06)
Cleanup begins in village fire aftermath (08-04-06)
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/rural/story/8043005p-7935993c.html
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Pam said:
Photo gallery link finally works
http://www.adn.com/photos/news/hooper_bay/v-photo_gallery_0
Hooper Bay photo gallery
Blaze hits home
Anchorage Daily News – Anchorage,AK,USA
… • Wells Fargo Bank has opened a special
account for donations that will be used or distributed by the Bethel-based
Association …
http://www.adn.com/front/story/8049214p-7942237c.html
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Vic said:
Small fire gives village a big scare
R. BRETT STIRLING, AROUND ALASKA (Toksook Bay)
Published: November 26, 2006
http://www.adn.com/life/story/8443770p-8337820c.html
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mpb said:
Hooper Bay students are still without a school
By Shane Iverson, KYUK
BETHEL, AK (2006-12-07) Hooper Bay students are still without a school since the devastating fire that destroyed the old school, teacher housing and an entire block of homes in the center of town last summer. The Lower Yukon School District had said doors at the new school would open as early as Thanksgiving. Some parents are frustrated, but school officials say the wait is almost over.
© Copyright 2006, APRN
http://tinyurl.com/y284y8
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mpb said:
After fire, school finally resumes in Hooper Bay
By ALEX DEMARBAN, Anchorage Daily News
Published: December 21, 2006
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/8508843p-8401994c.html
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mpb said:
http://thetundradrums.com/news/show/4895
13 Feb 2009
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