An unusual bird was sighted in the Yukon Flats village of Chalkyitsik recently. The raptor, uncommon to the state, has also been spotted in a few other Alaska locations. Bird biologist Jim Johnson says there’s broader evidence that the nomadic turkey vulture is expanding north.

A dead hare was observed in Interior Alaska that was infested with a native species of tick. Wildlife officials are asking residents to keep an eye out for ticks on pets and for signs of tick infestation in large mammals, such as hair loss in moose.

Water levels are 5 feet below normal.

Smoke from a handful of fires in northeast Alaska and across the border in Canada drifted south to Fairbanks on Tuesday and is expected to linger through Wednesday night.

Of the 89 wildfires burning across Alaska right now, several are in the northern part of the state, either in the Arctic or near its southern boundary.

Milbert's tortoiseshell caterpillar infestation

11-27-12 Still no snow or Yukon ice - Fort Yukon, Alaska, USA

11-1-12 Late salmon run - Fort Yukon, Alaska, USA

Yukon Flats community dealing with river erosion and landscape changes that are threatening the loss of traditional harvesting areas.

We are worried about the effects of large infestation and about wildlife.