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The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
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Observations

Wildfire reported east of Unalakleet, smokejumpers responding
A wildfire known as Rabbit Fire #176 broke out about seven miles east of Unalakleet on June 17, 2025, prompting a team of six smokejumpers, water scoopers, a helicopter, and a reconnaissance plane to respond and safely evacuate a nearby camp before containing the blaze by late evening.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States
KNOM Radio Mission

Unalakleet’s boil water notice extended as work on main water line continues
The City of Unalakleet now has a working generator to power its local water plant, but the community plans to be on a boil water notice for an extended period of time.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States
KNOM Radio Mission

Unalakleet perseveres through water shortage, looks ahead to future system
Unalakleet’s supply of water was running on empty following a nasty freeze-up at the end of December. Freezing rain led to a frozen pool of standing water that shifted the community’s pump house before the New Year. This dropped the flow of water into the water tank and levels were down to two feet earlier the first week of January.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States
KNOM Radio Mission

Flying Debris Severs Power Line in Unalakleet Due to High, Gusting Winds
Yesterday, damaging high wind in Unalakleet sent debris flying into high voltage power lines, knocking out electricity for half of the village. After roughly nine hours, electricity was restored to…

Ice Fog (Low Visibility) = Cancelled Flights
Open water over the ocean creates conditions that lead to hoar frost and rime ice. These conditions impact travel and are expected to become more common as ice forms later in Norton Sound.

August Storm Resulted in High Water
An unseasonable rain event brought high rainfall and led to high water, especially around noon on August 3rd.
Anahma Shannon, Gay Sheffield, Racheal Lee, John Henry, Richard L Thoman Jr, Edward "Ted" Smith

Thunderstorm in Repeat Succession
Thunderstorms are unusual in Unalakleet; however, a thunderstorm cell persisted in the area for longer than usual. Hot, dry conditions across Alaska have increased the risk of wildland fire, including that started from lightening strike.

Dead Silver Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in Kouwegoki Slough and Along Powers Creek, Among Other Locations
In early July, dead fish were observed floating along Kouwegoki Slough and along Powers Creek, among other locations.
John Henry, Racheal Lee, Anahma Shannon, Gay Sheffield

Extremely Warm Temperatures
It was also during the week where a number of dead fish started to occur along the riverine segment.
Anahma Shannon, John Henry, Richard L Thoman Jr, Gay Sheffield, Austin Ahmasuk

Fire Smoke in Unalakleet Area
Smoke from the North River fire is impacting outdoor air quality. The ADEC Division of Air Quality has issued an air quality advisory in effect from Tuesday, June 18, 2019 8:00 AM to Friday June 21, 2019 4:00 PM.

Observed Smoke from Forest Fire
Smoke from the South River Hills Fire could be seen from Unalakleet. The fire began approximately 6 miles from the community, and grew from 30 to 160 acres.It was contained by BLM Alaska Fire Service Smokejumers by 11pm on June 9, 2019.

A Warming Arctic Hits Iditarod: Open Water Along the Trail Where There’s Normally Ice
Usually, in March, the Bering Sea ice is reaching its thickest extent. But from the beach in Unalakleet, the full horizon is blue ocean water, punctuated infrequently by lone icebergs.

Coastal Flood Advisory
Olivia Lee, Richard L Thoman Jr, John Henry

Low Coastal Cloud Ceiling on Landing
White, puffy, clouds unusually close to the land.

High River Water Overflow
Heavy spring precipitation leads to strong river flow, sweeping away cabin and fish rack.

Fire Near Unalakleet
Wildfire smoke visible in Unalakleet.

Increased Turbulent Experience and High Winds While Flying during Winter Season
Passenger experiences usually turbulent conditions on winter flights.

Seabirds again washing ashore dead in Western Alaska
Birds have been reported dead or behaving strangely in communities throughout the Bering Strait region, from Shishmaref to Unalakleet and on St. Lawrence Island.
Anchorage Daily News

Open Water Adds to Winter Chill - Part 2
While taking photos this afternoon of the snow ice on various objects near the Native Village of Unalakleet, which was on the approximate order of 4 minutes and with very little wind (playground, grass, powerlines), my hands were cold due to the "wetness" in the air and the ambient air temperature.

Fast Weather Change: Snowfall
Rapid weather change, with snowfall.

Unalakleet's Fall Storm Aftermath 11/09
Using a hand-held Garmin Montana 650t unit, I took photos of the tideline in three areas.

Unalakleet's Fall Storm Aftermath
I documented my tracks using the Garmin unit adjusting the track setting to log about every 5 feet, which was saved as a GPS Exchange (GPX) Format. From there, I imported the information into Google Earth Desktop as a KML track.

Fire Smoke Encroaching into Unalakleet
A haze surrounding the hills had a distinct smell of burned wood.

Fast Moving Hail Storm
Observed fast moving weather system... as quickly as it came it abated.

Fast Sea Ice Movement

Climate change hits Alaska's rural water systems
Thawing permafrost is warping water and sewer lines. Along the coast and rivers, erosion is threatening the lakes that communities use for drinking water or the lagoons where they dump sewage.
KTOO

Open Water Adds to Winter Chill - Part 1
Unusually wet winter weather activity observed. Traveling in early February (AFE) disrupted travel due to weather conditions.

Morning Winter Fog
An unusual morning haze "winter fog", was observed, attributed to a layer of moist air trapped near the ground.

Healthy Snowfall is Back
Three healthy snowfalls with progessively more snow each time.

Low Salmon Numbers
Commercial and Subsistence Harvest

Unusual Weather Pattern
Unusual weather pattern that changes conditions quickly.

Early Allergy Season
Allergy season happening sooner

Unalakleet River Goes Out Early
Unalakleet River goes out early

Warm Wind with Drizzling Rain
A heatwave in Unalakleet, Alaska.

Good Year for Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus)
Good year for Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta)

Extreme Weather
High rate of change in weather conditions

Spring River Ice Change
Spring river ice change - Unalakleet, Alaska, USA

Wet Snowgo Race
Warm weather has made for unsafe traveling conditions, including a snowmachine race.

Unseasonably Warm
11-13-14 Unseasonable warm - Unalakleet, Alaska, USA

Bad Ice Disrupts Subsistence
1-26-14 Ice disrupts subsistence - Unalakleet, Alaska, USA

Storm Damage
Series of storms contribute to flooding, erosion, infrastructure damage.

Mussel Roe Fouls Fishing Gear
Salmon and crab gear seeing an incredible increase in mussel roe and slime.

Abundant Salmon Berries (Vaccinium ovalifolium)
The past couple of years there haven't been a lot to pick.

Changing Sea Ice
3-5-13 Changing sea ice - Unalakleet, Alaska, USA

Poor Sea Ice Changes Hunt
Lack of sea ice affects seal hunting.

Weather Shifting Sea Ice Flow
Unusual weather patterns are pushing the sea ice away from the coast.

Worms (Splendidofilaria pectoralis) in Grouse and Ptarmigan
Species of nematode *Splendidofilaria pectoralis* has been described in blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus pallidus) in British Columbia, but never as far north and west as Unalakleet.
Victoria Kotongan, Caroline Van Hemert, Todd O'Hara

Ice Departure Delayed
Sea ice conditions making it difficult for community to harvest seasonal fish.

Seal with Hair Loss
Seal with hair loss observed in Bering Strait region

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