Denali Borough makes progress on new Community Wildfire Protection Plan

By Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection on January 31, 2025

Planning IS Wildfire Prevention!

Community Wildfire Protection Plans, or CWPPs, serve as living documents and guidebooks to assist local government organizations and landowners in making informed decisions about wildfire preparation and management. They can also be used to apply for funding for prioritized mitigation projects aimed at reducing fire risk.

The Denali Borough CWPP recently received signatures from 15 different parties, highlighting the strong collaboration and dedication involved throughout the 12-month planning process. Multiple meetings held across the Borough, including at the Anderson Volunteer Fire Department, Tri-Valley Community Center, Denali Borough office, McKinley Village Community Center, Native Village of Cantwell Community Hall, and through virtual platforms, facilitated significant community input. Residents actively shared their insights, addressed wildfire concerns, and helped establish boundaries and priorities for their neighborhoods. When presented to the Borough Assembly for approval, the plan passed unanimously.

The Regional Native Corporation, Ahtna Inc., provided valuable historical information, place names, and land ownership resources. Denali Borough staff, contractor Bintel, and specialists from the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection worked together to incorporate feedback and ensure local knowledge was reflected in the final plan.

Creating a CWPP covering 86 miles of the George Parks Highway, encompassing 4 unique communities, and spanning 12,000 square miles of scenic and wild terrain was a remarkable achievement. This success was made possible through and the contributions of community members, emergency responders, collaborators, and interagency partners.

Congratulations to the Denali Borough, Bintel, Ahtna Inc., and all partners on this outstanding accomplishment! You’re on your way to becoming a fire-adapted community. To read the new Denali Borough CWPP, Community Wildfire Protection Plans – Denali Borough, AK. And to view the accompanying interactive map, Denali Borough CWPP Project Map: Proposed Mitigation Treatments

For more information on CWPPs or related grants, visit Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) and Grants and Program Assistance