Fire tragedy in Hooper Bay, Alaska.

The fire destroyed 14 homes, a school, and a store.

Deputy Refuge Manager Doug Staller leading pump operations.

Village of Hooper Bay, located within Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge.

Early on the morning of August 3, 2006 a major fire started in the village of Hooper Bay, Alaska.  Hooper Bay is located on the coast of the Bering Sea, 130 miles from Bethel, and is one of 35 villages located within the boundaries of Yukon Delta Refuge.  The fire burned through fourteen homes, the elementary school, and the only store in the village. One of the homes was that of a Refuge employee, although luckily he is uninjured.  The fire has displaced more than 65 people from the 1,100 person village.  Miraculously there were no serious injuries, considering that several fuel tanks exploded during the fire.   

Fish and Wildlife Service staff, from Refuge Headquarters in Bethel, were among the first groups to arrive on the scene along with Alaska State Troopers and Bethel Fire Department personnel. Service personnel assisted with site security and operating the incident command post, including operating pumps and running hose lines. Additional fire assistance came from local villages, State Forestry in McGrath, and the Nome Alaska Fire Department.

Representatives of the State Fire Marshalls office arrived by mid-afternoon and took control of the scene.  The Bethel Firefighters and Service staff returned home after being treated to a meal by local residents.