There were multiple wildland fires reported this past week in the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP) response area, several of them were the result of structure or vehicle fires spreading into the surrounding wildland. 

MATCOM Public Service Dispatch alerted DFFP Coastal Dispatch Center to the Sushana Fire (005) on Tuesday, April 14^th. The unattended brush fire, located in a gravel pit near the vicinity of East Schwald Road and North Sushana Drive in Wasilla had ignited from an earlier reported vehicle fire. Forestry personnel responded with one engine to contain and control the 5ft x 5ft debris pile consisting of mixed hard wood slash. The fire was placed in monitor status. DFFP patrols will periodically check the site to ensure it does not rekindle. 

Homer Volunteer Fire Department requested the assistance of Kachemak Emergency Services and DFFP on Wednesday, April 15th, at a residential structure fire on Kachemak Drive. A 20-foot boat was fully involved with fire spreading to nearby dry ground vegetation and threatening structures. Forestry personnel contained and controlled the Second Star Fire (006), a .1-acre grass fire, while fire department firefighters extinguished the boat. The wildland portion of the fire was placed in monitor status. DFFP patrols returned to the fire to check for any heat or visible smoke and called the fire out on April 18^th. 

A DFFP Prevention Officer along with a fire engine responded to MP112 Sterling Highway on Sunday, April 19^th for a tree reported arcing and sparking on a powerline. Investigation determined the tree had been cut with a chainsaw. Homer Electric Association responded to safely remove the tree. The Rochon Fire (008), approximately 0.1-acre, was contained, controlled and placed in monitor status. 

Late Sunday evening, April 19^th, Kenai Peninsula Borough Central Emergency Services requested the assistance of DFFP to an RV fire spreading into the surrounding wildland. The occupants of the RV safely evacuated prior to responder’s arrival, with no injuries reported. The Trevor Fire (009) was estimated to be 0.1-acre, burning in spruce and was contained, controlled and placed in monitor status. 

Alaska’s spring weather is currently cool and wet, but conditions will change as the sun returns. Dead and down vegetation will dry quickly leaving the potential for wildland fires very likely. Burn Permits are required state-wide in Alaska from April 1^st to August 31^st for anything larger than a cooking/warming fire that is three feet in diameter and two feet in height. These permits include a brush pile of organic material not exceeding 10 feet in diameter by 4 feet in height, a burn barrel for burning only untreated wood, leaves, grass clippings, carboard and paper or burning a maintained lawn of less than 1 acre. For more information on the Burn Permit program go to dnr.alaska.gov/burn. 

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

Tags: 2026 Alaska Fire Season, burn permit, Rochon Fire, Second Star Fire, Sushana Fire, Trevor Fire