Fatal plane crash, Aleutian quakes and wildfires hit Alaska

A pilot flying from Yakutat to Fairbanks was found dead Thursday after an Alaska Air National Guard helicopter crew located a crashed Piper Pacer aircraft approximately 40 miles southeast of Cordova, in a mountainous area near Kanak Island.

Alaska State Troopers were notified of the overdue aircraft at about 8 p.m. on June 18. The plane was believed to be carrying only the pilot. Both Alaska Air National Guard and Alaska Wildlife Trooper aircraft began searching. The wreck was found the following afternoon, around 4 p.m. on June 19, by a Guard helicopter crew. The pilot's body was transported to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Anchorage for autopsy and positive identification. The National Transportation Safety Board and the pilot's next of kin have been notified.

Aleutian Earthquakes and Tsunami Statement

Two moderate earthquakes struck the Aleutian Islands on June 19. A magnitude 4.8 quake hit the Rat Islands at 7:42 a.m. Alaska Standard Time, followed by a magnitude 4.4 quake in the Andreanof Islands at 9:25 a.m. Alaska Standard Time. A Tsunami Information Statement covering Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California was also issued on June 19, though the sources do not establish a direct causal link between these specific earthquakes and the statement, which was recorded at 12:06 a.m. PDT — hours before the two Aleutian quakes. The National Tsunami Warning Center describes such a statement as a "no threat, no danger" notice, meaning no protective action is needed by those on the coast.

Susitna Valley Wildfires

Lightning ignited five fires across the Susitna Valley on June 19, when 3,027 lightning strikes were recorded across Alaska. Fire managers are prioritizing resources based on values at risk, including homes, roadways, and other infrastructure.

Fire #213, located 16 miles west of Mount Susitna, grew to about 15 acres and has a helicopter, the Matsu Crew Mod, three scoopers, two tankers, and eight smokejumpers assigned. Fire #214, 7.5 miles northwest of Talkeetna, and Fire #215, 9 miles northwest of Talkeetna, each measured 0.1 acres; a helicopter is assigned to Fire #214 and no resources have been assigned to Fire #215. Fire #216, 14 miles west of Talkeetna, reached 1 acre with no resources assigned. Fire #217, near Talkeetna Spur Road about 8.5 miles south of Talkeetna, measured 0.1 acres and is being managed with three engines and one helicopter.

A separate wildfire designated the Parker fire was discovered June 20 and is listed under Fire Investigation status at 0.00 acres recorded.