Here are two crises that are bad enough on their own — a worldwide pandemic and wildfires.

The Alaska Division of Forestry is taking proactive steps to try to prevent those two situations from overlapping. 

Forestry announced Tuesday that all burn permits in the state will be suspended May 1. This is applicable to small- and large-scale burning on state, municipal and private lands.

In this month's Drinking on the Last Frontier, Bill takes a look at how breweries are coping with government mandates on social distancing, with an interview with Doug Hogue of Kenai River Brewing. Plus, a look behind the scenes at the role of distributors in Alaska, a sampling of the stout beer stye and some recommended reading to get you through quarantine.

Bill visits with brewers at Frozen Riverfest and hears from Cooper Landing Brewing on the progress of their new building. Plus, flagship beers, beer and food pairings and a review of an online beer course.
Cheers!

Kenai Fire Cheif Jeff Tucker joined the Kenai Conversation to look back on his 38-year career in fire and EMS, the last six with the city of Kenai. He retired March 20.

Three local alumni of the Peace Corps talk about their time and projects in far-flung parts of the globe. Thanks to Kaylin Simpson, Ben Boettger and David Wartinbee for sharing their experiences. 

The Native inhabitants of the Kenai Peninsula before Western contact were masters at adapting to this land. Dr. Alan Boraas, anthropology professor at Kenai Peninsula College, presented “Yaghanen, The Time Before,” a discussion about the lives of the Dena’ina people who have lived and thrived here for a thousand years, to the Kasilof Regional Historical Association.

Kenai River Brewing shares its plans for reopening Kenai Joe's in a special, live segment of the show. And speaking of reopening, Barnaby Brewing in Juneau tells Bill about recovering from a fire that shut them down for about a year.