Harding Lake Campground Fuel Reduction Work Completed in Alaska State Park

By Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection on July 22, 2024

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (AK DOF) completed a significant hazardous fuel reduction project at Harding Lake Campground in partnership with Alaska State Parks. These preventative measures are part of a comprehensive strategy to fortify state parks across Alaska against fire hazards.

Contracted AK Tree Service helped complete Harding Lake Campground clean up on July 2 and 3 after firefighting crews responded to nearby fires. They chipped all brush piles in the campground, the large group camp meadow, and cleared all brush along all of the roads and in the day use parking.

Over 50 firefighters from the Pioneer Peak, Gannett Glacier, and Fairbanks 1 crews worked to improve the campground’s fire resilience. For 13 days, they cleared dead and dry fuels around 78 drive-in campsites and five walk-in sites. This work involved creating defensible space around each campsite by removing dead trees and black spruce, thereby reducing the risk of campfire escapement and making the area safer for everyone.

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Members of Gannet Glacier crew cut and remove fuels from the Harding Lake Campground.

By utilizing chainsaws and wood chippers, the crews converted hazardous trees and dry materials into firewood-sized portions for campers. After crews responded to additional fire starts in the region, a local tree service contractor completed the clean up work. They chipped slash piles and cleared brush along the roads and day-use parking areas to enhance trails and campsites.

This project also served as a valuable training opportunity for new firefighters, giving them low-risk experience in falling trees and working together.

Campsite before fuel reduction project — Campsite before fuels reduction

These preventative measures are part of a comprehensive strategy to fortify state parks across Alaska against fire hazards. By enhancing the fire safety of Harding Lake Campground, we are ensuring a safer and more enjoyable experience for all visitors.

To learn more about our fuels mitigation projects, visit:
forestry.alaska.gov/fire/fuelmitigation