Isaiah Smardo fuels up his truck on Main Street before boarding the ferry from Juneau, mid relocation from Fairbanks with his family. Jan. 9, 2026. (Will Steinfeld/Chilkat Valley News).

Widespread fuel-gelling in the Chilkat Valley’s supply of diesel halted trucks, plows and a highway-project crew in December.  

Many say the problem — a process where diesel fuel solidifies at low temperatures, clogging fuel lines and filters — could have been avoided with a different fuel…

Will Steinfeld is a documentary photographer and reporter in Southeast Alaska, formerly in New England.