Home › Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF) › State to Conduct Prescribed Burns in Mat-Su Valley Starting May 13

State to Conduct Prescribed Burns in Mat-Su Valley Starting May 13

By on

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DOF) will be conducting two prescribed burns in Palmer and Wasilla as early as May 13, weather and fuel conditions permitting. The prescribed burns will help eliminate grasses and brush in two locations that can ignite easily and rapidly spread fire after they dry out in the spring.

Wasilla: The Sitze Road prescribed burn will be a small, prescribed burn at the end of W. Shirley Road off N. Sitze Road as early as May 13, weather permitting. The burn will be 9.5 acres and consume dead grass fuel within the area. The Pioneer Peak Interagency Hotshot Crew will conduct the prescribed burn alongside West Lakes Fire Department.  An initial attack helicopter will also be on-site for joint training.

Palmer: The Maud Road prescribed burn, near the end of Maud Road, will take place as early as Wednesday, May 15, weather permitting. The burn will be five acres between Mud Lake and Jim Lake, at the Kenny and Patti Barber Shooting Range. Members of the Gannett Glacier Crew, DOF Mat-Su firefighters, and Butte Fire Department will conduct the five-acre burn.

Prescribed Fire Advisory for the Mat-Su Area. Prescribed burns at Sitze Rd. in Wasilla will begin as early as May 13. Prescribed burning at Maud Rd. in Palmer will begin as early as May 15. Both operations are depending on weather and fuel conditions.
Prescribed Fire Advisory for the Mat-Su Area. Prescribed burns at Sitze Rd. in Wasilla will begin as early as May 13. Prescribed burning at Maud Rd. in Palmer will begin as early as May 15. Both operations are depending on weather and fuel conditions.

“There have been several wildfires in the past few years at shooting ranges in Alaska caused by the use of incendiary rounds and exploding targets,” said Mat-Su Assistant Fire Management Officer Jered Kemp, “These are often unintentional, but as with all human-caused fires they can quickly grow out of control in dry, cured grasses before green up.”

Firefighters will work to consume the dead grass fuels within the designated areas to help prevents wildland fires from unintentionally spreading later in the season when it is hotter and drier. Using favorable conditions in the springtime also allows for essential training opportunities for firefighters as they prepare for the upcoming wildland fire season. 

Given the burning locations, the impact to the public is expected to be minimal but smoke may be visible in the greater Mat-Su Valley.

Media Contacts: Lily Coyle, 907-795-9382, lily.coyle@alaska.gov

‹
›

Categories: Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF), Prescribed Fire

Tags: , , , , ,