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Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection website: http://forestry.alaska.gov/
Mission:
The Alaska Division of Forestry proudly serves Alaskans through forest management and wildland fire protection.
The Wildland Fire and Aviation Program provides safe, cost-effective and efficient fire protection services and related fire and aviation management activities to protect human life and values on State, private and municipal lands. The wildland fire program cooperates with other wildland fire agencies on a statewide, interagency basis.
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Alaska wildland fire season is here
Don’t let all that snow fool you, Alaska’s wildfire season officially begins on April 1 and Alaskans should prepare accordingly. Alaska’s statutory wildland fire season starts on April 1 and extends through August 31, barring an emergency extension. And like… Read More ›
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Fairbanks Area Forestry to discuss Haystack fire breaks at Feb. 14 meeting
The two fire breaks, part of the Haystack Mountain Fuels Mitigation Project, are located along Washington Creek and Leuthold Drive, approximately 20 miles north of Fairbanks. The two fuel breaks would help protect more than 200 homes in multiple subdivisions.
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Governor Dunleavy proposes name change for Division of Forestry
The Division’s wildfire protection program has grown exponentially. Today, more than 90 percent of the Division’s budget is spent on protecting the life and property of Alaskans from wildfire.
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State forestry offering virtual wildland firefighting class in February
Alaskans looking to start a career in wildland firefighting don’t have to wait until spring to take a class that will qualify them to work this summer. The Alaska Division of Forestry is piloting a new basic wildland firefighting (Red… Read More ›
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Fairbanks Area Forestry to burn hundreds of slash piles near Cripple Creek, Goldstream AK subdivisions
Weather permitting, the DOF’s Fairbanks Area Forestry office will start burning on October 4 and be done by October 29, said fire management officer Gordon Amundson. There are approximately 2,500 to 3,000 slash piles, each about 10 feet around and four feet tall. Local residents may see smoke from the burning.
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Repair work progressing on dozer lines put in during Haystack Fire
Suppression repair work began September 1 and should be completed by October 1. A single excavator is being used to complete most of the suppression repair, which primarily consists of rehabilitating approximately 5 miles of dozer lines.
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Weekend wildfire starts prove dry conditions still exist in parts of Alaska
Firefighters quickly contained a pair of new wildfires near Delta Junction over the weekend proving that the wildfire season lingers in some parts of Eastern Alaska.
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Heavy rain dampens activity on Munson Creek Fire; evacuation level reduced to ‘Ready’
The fire received rain on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the heaviest rainfall reported on Sunday. As of Monday morning, a remote automated weather station near the fire had received 1.2 inches of precipitation since Friday.
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Rain and cooler weather take edge off Munson Creek Fire near Chena Hot Springs
The fire received what Peterson described as “solid rain” Friday but that along won’t be enough to put it out. It will require substantial rain to put the fire out. Nonetheless, the cooler, wetter weather will retard fire behavior and keep the fire from acting up like it had been during the hot, dry weather earlier this week.
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Fish smoker believed to be responsible for small wildfire near Willow in Mat-Su Valley
Two engines and Helitack from Mat-Su Area Forestry in Palmer responded, as well as multiple engines and water tenders from four local fire departments – Houston, Caswell, Talkeetna and Willow. With assistance from helicopter water drops, firefighters on the ground were able to quickly corral the fire and contain it to one-half acre.