Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes The ash-filled valley covers a area. The ash can be up to deep. In places deep canyons have been cut by the River Lethe, allowing observers to see the ash flow strata. Since the ash has cooled, most of the fumaroles are now extinct and despite its name the valley is no longer filled with 'smoke' (i.e. steam). Vegetation still does not grow in the valley. The signs of volcanic activity are still visible on nearby hills. Katmai's most recent eruption was in 1927, but there have been non-eruptive events as recent as 2003. The Alaska Volcano Observatory still monitors
Saundra Smokes which won a Cable Ace award. Smokes won numerous journalism awards, including a first-place community service award from the New York State Publishers Association for her 2003 editorial series, “Taxpayers Held Hostage.” In 2004 she was inducted onto the Syracuse Press Club's Wall of Distinction, a permanent exhibit in the Civic Center. In May 2012, she began writing a guest column for "The Post-Standard", and in June she started a weekly radio show on WHEN-AM, Power 620, "Saundra Smokes Speaks on Venus". She published many columns that were recognized by journalists across the nation. Saundra Smokes Saundra Smokes (October 8,