Several of the new wildfires in the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP) response area were escaped debris piles. These human caused fires are very preventable. One of the most common burning violations is leaving a fire unattended or not fully extinguishing a fire until it is cold to the touch.
The Homer Police Department requested DFFP assistance for a grass fire behind the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center late Monday evening, April 27. The Beluga Slough Fire (016) was a 0.1-acre wildland fire that was extinguished by forestry personnel. Firefighters mopped up the burned area to ensure there were no remaining hotspots or burning embers and the fire was placed into monitor status. Patrols checked on the fire during the following days, declaring it out Friday, May 1.
Alaska State Troopers requested DFFP to respond to an outside fire in the area of Mile Marker 75 of the Sterling Highway on Wednesday, May 29. Responding firefighters form Kenai Peninsula Borough Central Emergency Services and forestry reported a 5ft x5ft fire smoldering in grass that had spread from a non-compliant burn. The MM 75 Sterling Fire (017) was extinguished, declared contained and controlled and left in monitor status.
MATCOM Public Service Dispatch alerted DFFP Coastal Dispatch Center of smoke in the area of East Lindsey and East Walling roads in the community of Butte on Thursday, April 30. DFFP responded with the Butte Volunteer Fire Department to a 20ft x 20ft burn pile that had escaped into the adjacent wildlands. Firefighters extinguished the fire and mopped up the area to eliminate any areas of heat or smoking embers declaring the Walling Fire (019) contained and controlled. The fire remains in monitor status with DFFP patrols periodically checking to ensure the fire does not rekindle.
Troopers requested DFFP to respond to Funny Moose Lane in Sterling on Friday, May 1, for a grass fire caused by a tree on a powerline. Firefighters with DFFP and Central Emergency Services reported a 30ft x 30ft smoldering fire in grass and downed spruce. After Homer Electric Association cleared the scene making it safe for responders the Funny Moose Fire (020), contained, controlled and placed in monitor status. DFFP patrols will periodically check on the fire.
MATCOM Public Service Dispatch alerted DFFP Coastal Dispatch Center to an unattended burn pile in the area of Seth Avery Circle in Palmer on Friday May 1. Forestry responded to the Seth Avery Cir Fire (021) with an engine to discover a large burn pile that had escaped into the surrounding wildland. An additional engine and water tender were requested from Central Mat-Su Fire Department to assist in extinguishing the 20ft diameter debris pile. The fire was contained, controlled and placed in monitor status.
MATCOM requested DFFP to an outside fire in the area of John King Circle in Palmer on Saturday, May 2. Forestry responded to the John King Fire (022) with one engine along with Palmer Fire & Rescue. Upon arrival, resources reported an out of compliance burn pile that caused a smoldering grass fire. Firefighters extinguished the pile and surrounding grass fire and placed in monitor status.
Kasilof Police Department requested DFFP to respond to a car on fire with wildland involvement in the area of Crooked Creek Road just after midnight Sunday morning, May 3. Firefighters with Central Emergency Services and forestry responded to find a smoldering car and a small, smoldering grass fire. The Crooked Fire (024) was contained, controlled and called out that morning.
MATCOM requested DFFP and Central Mat-Su Fire Department to respond to heavy black smoke in the area of Hardrock Circle in Wasilla on Sunday afternoon May 3. Arriving firefighters reported the Hardrock Fire (025) as a 0.1-acre smoldering fire in grass and hardwoods that escaped from a burn pile of yard debris, lumber and trash. Resources extinguished the non-compliant pile and wildland fire. The fire was declared out.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 