forestry

A map presented by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources during a virtual meeting on Dec. 11, 2025, shows the location of a potential Kenai Peninsula State Forest. Screenshot.

Community discusses state forest proposal at Homer meeting

The public comment period on the proposed Kenai Peninsula State Forest closes Jan. 16 at 5 p.m.

 

A map presented by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources during a virtual meeting on Dec. 11, 2025, shows the location of a potential Kenai Peninsula State Forest. Screenshot.

Community meeting in Homer to focus on proposed state forest

The Department of Natural Resources will continue to gather community input on the potential establishment of a Kenai Peninsula State Forest during a meeting on Tuesday at Kachemak Bay Campus.

 

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks during a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: Alaskans deserve a real voice in decisions about public land

Like many Alaskans, I was caught off guard when meetings were announced about the idea of creating a state forest on the Kenai Peninsula. Since… Continue reading

 

A map presented by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources during a virtual meeting on Dec. 11, 2025, shows the location of a potential Kenai Peninsula State Forest. The Division of Forestry and Fire Protection must gather community perspectives before creating a proposal, and so far they’ve received “mixed” input. Screenshot.

DNR receives “mixed” public input on proposed Kenai Peninsula State Forest

The potential proposal would expand the Tanana Valley State Forest by 600,000 acres.

A map presented by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources during a virtual meeting on Dec. 11, 2025, shows the location of a potential Kenai Peninsula State Forest. The Division of Forestry and Fire Protection must gather community perspectives before creating a proposal, and so far they’ve received “mixed” input. Screenshot.
The U.S. Forest Service Porcupine Campground offers gorgeous views of the Kenai Mountains and Turnagain Arm, as seen here on July 20, 2020, near Hope, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Department of Natural Resources seeks public input on proposed Kenai Peninsula State Forest

DNR is gathering community perspectives during several meetings this week.

The U.S. Forest Service Porcupine Campground offers gorgeous views of the Kenai Mountains and Turnagain Arm, as seen here on July 20, 2020, near Hope, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Firefighters from the Kenai-Kodiak Area State Forestry office extinguish a small grass fire started by an escaped campfire on the Kenai Peninsula on May 3, 2020. (Kyle McNally/Alaska Division of Forestry)

Crews respond to fires across state as burn ban goes into effect

Everything from illegal debris burns to hot chainsaws in dry grass were the culprits of the fires.

Firefighters from the Kenai-Kodiak Area State Forestry office extinguish a small grass fire started by an escaped campfire on the Kenai Peninsula on May 3, 2020. (Kyle McNally/Alaska Division of Forestry)