Due to periods of heavy rain, there were no new wildland fires reported across the state on Saturday, according to the Alaska Fire Service. So far this year, 258 fires have burned approximately 163,797 acres statewide. There were still 100 active fires in Alaska as of Sunday. According to an Alaska Fire Service news release published Saturday, the Any Creek Fire, burning north of Fairbanks near Old Murphy Dome Road, has shrunk to 44 acres and is 70% contained. "With more wet weather in the forecast, fire managers with the Alaska Division of Forestry are confident the fire located about 7 miles west of the Elliott Highway and less than a mile from a subdivision on Old Murphy Dome Road will continue to behave and give the 120 firefighters working on the fire the opportunity to put it to bed," the release states.  

VIDEO: Drone footage shows the aftermath of the massive fire that ravaged the former Strathmore Paper complex and destroyed Mill Number Two. The footage was taken Saturday by Samuel Mazzaferro, the owner and operator of West Branch Aerial Photography located in Chester. Mazzaferro made sure to follow all rules and regulations and avoided any interference as firefighters continued to work the scene. The cause of the fire inside the vacant mill in Russell is considered suspicious by investigators, who are now offering a reward for information that helps identify those who are responsible. The fire was reported around 8:30 p.m. Friday and burned for more than 12 hours. More than 125 firefighters responded to the scene on 34 Valley View Ave.  

A national nonprofit that's been monitoring the spread of COVID-19 says Michigan is one of three states "on track to contain" the novel coronavirus, but officials still warn the fight here is far from over. COVID Act Now, a group of technologists, epidemiologists, health experts and public policy leaders, tweeted Tuesday that Michigan had moved to its lowest risk category on its warning dashboard for states. "Cases are steadily decreasing and Michigan's COVID preparedness meets or exceeds international standards across our key metrics," the site tweeted. COVID Act Now says Michigan has a low infection rate, widespread testing in place and sufficient contact tracing. The state has experienced seven straight weeks of declines in new deaths linked to the virus, according to tracking from the state Department of Health and Human Services.  

Four Rapid City Fire Department firefighters retired Friday as a result of budget concerns and to help prevent possible layoffs in the department. Capt. Joe Tjaden, Training Section Chief Matt Culberson, Battalion Chief Tim Daly and Fire Chief Rod Seals have a combined 111 years of experience under their belts, according to a RCFD press release. "Each one of these individuals leaves a legacy of excellence," said Lt. Jim Bussell, public information officer for the RCFD, in an email to the Journal. "They were among the most highly trained, well-rounded firefighters in the business. They care deeply about people. They care deeply about their peers and the community they serve. They have served faithfully and with great dedication. Their impact on our organization is profound."  

About 60 firefighters with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department cannot work right now. They either have COVID-19 or may have been exposed. That's according to Randy Wyse the President of the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters. It comes after Action News Jax confirmed a firefighter at station 21 tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday. Wyse says fire stations in Arlington and northwest Jacksonville also have firefighters sidelined due to the pandemic. Action News Jax is working to learn the other fire stations are impacted. Fire Chief Powers told Action News Jax in May about the process of protecting firefighters and preventing the spread. "Out of an abundance of caution to protect the men and women they work within the fire station and to protect the public that we respond to, we pull them out. Put them in self-quarantine for that 14 days." Chief Powers said.