You are probably thinking of Noatak and Kobuk. Two recent articles are here and here. As was mentioned by someone else above, these are native villages that rely heavily on subsitance, and the people tend to have little cash income. A six months supply of fuel held in reserve would be far beyond the means of most people out there.

These places are out on the tundra, with relatively little, if any wood growing locally. When they talk about gathering wood, they are often referring to gathering driftwood that floats down the bigger rivers from far upstream.

When ambient temperatures get into the minus 40 degree range, the air services often don't like to fly, except in dire emergency. Extreme low temperatures are very hard on the aircraft and significantly increase the danger in flying. Bush flying in Alaska is already dangerous enough in the best of conditions.