Anchorage Daily Local Headlines: Fire, Fur Rondy record, and weekend updates

Anchorage heads into Monday with a mix of serious news and classic winter-season staples — from an active fire investigation to Fur Rondy competition and a few small reminders that we live in earthquake country.

1) Spenard apartment fire leaves one dead

Anchorage firefighters responded to an early-morning apartment fire in Spenard on Sunday, March 1. Officials said the fire was largely confined to a single unit and was mostly out by the time crews arrived, but one person was found dead. Residents in nearby units were evacuated as crews worked the scene. The cause and origin remain under investigation, and officials noted smoke detectors were present in the unit.

2) Fur Rondy history: Buddy Streeper’s 11th title

Also on Sunday, March 1, sprint mushing took center stage as Blayne ‘Buddy’ Streeper won the Fur Rendezvous Open World Championship Sled Dog Race for the 11th time — a new record. The multi-day race totals 78 miles across three laps through Anchorage, and Streeper’s win puts him alone atop the event’s all-time list.

3) Small earthquake northwest of Anchorage

The Alaska Earthquake Center logged a magnitude 1.8 earthquake about 26 miles northwest of Anchorage early Sunday, March 1 (shortly after 12:50 a.m. local time). The event was listed as not yet reviewed by a seismologist — common for smaller quakes — but it’s a timely nudge to keep your household basics (flashlights, chargers, and a plan) in working order.

4) UAA women’s season ends at home

On Saturday, Feb. 28, the UAA women’s basketball season ended with a 66–51 loss to Saint Martin’s at the Alaska Airlines Center. The game closed out a season that leaned heavily on new faces and set the tone for what the program wants to build next year.

Sources

https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/03/02/one-person-found-dead-after-early-morning-apartment-fire/
https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/03/02/fur-rondy-history-made-buddy-streeper-takes-home-11th-open-world-championship-sled-dog-race-win/
https://earthquake.alaska.edu/event/aka2026efbkyn
https://goseawolves.com/news/2026/2/28/womens-basketball-uaas-season-ends-with-66-51-loss-to-saints.aspx