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The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (AFS) located at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, provides wildland fire suppression services for over 244 million acres of Department of the Interior and Native Corporation Lands in Alaska. In addition, AFS has other statewide responsibilities that include: interpretation of fire management policy; oversight of the BLM Alaska Aviation program; fuels management projects; and operating and maintaining advanced communication and computer systems such as the Alaska Lightning Detection System. AFS also maintains a National Incident Support Cache with a $10 million inventory. The Alaska Fire Service provides wildland fire suppression services for America’s “Last Frontier” on an interagency basis with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Military in Alaska.
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Final round of voting for fire prevention moose name
It is time to make the final selection on a name for “Take Time to LEARN Before you Burn” moose mascot. The campaign was launched in 2019 and is a multiyear effort by the Alaska Division of Forestry in conjunction… Read More ›
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History of helping: BLM AFS hotshot crews support fire suppression in the Lower 48
Alaska-based BLM hotshot crews, Chena and Midnight Sun, have traveled to support the fire suppression effort in the Lower 48 intermittently since 1987.
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First line of fireline EMTs
Having qualified and capable medical first responders among initial attack firefighters directly on the fireline is crucial to treating trauma in the field, especially in Alaska. Organized by BLM AFS, this three-week Basic EMT class is routinely offered to AFS and State of Alaska wildland firefighters who may be the only ones working on a remote fire.
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Hunters heading afield can help reduce wildland fire danger
(Fairbanks, AK) – With many hunting seasons in Alaska opening this month, the Alaska Division of Forestry reminds hunters heading into the woods to be careful with any activities that could ignite a wildfire. While abundant rainfall, shorter daylight hours and cooler temperatures… Read More ›
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Ahead of the fire
BLM AFS makes Interior villages more resilient to wildfires This year’s unusually slow fire season enabled the BLM Alaska Fire Service to start working on protecting the Interior Alaska community of Alatna from future wildfires. The BLM AFS Chena Hotshot… Read More ›
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North Star Fire Crew to burn woody debris piles near Eielson AFB
Starting as early as Monday, the BLM Alaska Fire Service North Star Fire Crew will burn piles of woody debris created to reduce the risk of wildfire on military training lands near Eielson Air Force Base. This effort is a collaboration between the BLM AFS and the U.S. Army Alaska. As conditions allow, the burning could continue through August.
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No reported injuries in aviation incident on Birch Creek Fire
No injuries were reported after an aircraft incident during suppression efforts on a wildfire about 120 air miles north of Fairbanks Tuesday afternoon. The airplane was scooping out of an unnamed body of water about 2-3 miles north of the fire when the incident occurred.
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BLM AFS smokejumpers mopping up fire northwest of Circle
BLM Alaska Fire Service smokejumpers are busy mopping up the Birch Creek Fire (#346) after they and assisting aircraft were able to catch the Birch Creek Fire at 15 acres Tuesday evening.
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Smokejumpers respond to two new fires in Interior Alaska
BLM Alaska Fire Service Smokejumpers responded to two fires in rural Alaska in the last few days, emphasizing dry conditions still exist in some areas despite the wet, cold weather present in other regions. The Richmond Fire (#338) burning 39 miles north of Bettles is suspected of being human caused. It’s a reminder that people still need to be careful that their outdoor activities don’t ignite a fire.
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Alaska’s fire season shaping up to be a low year
Alaska is now past its historical peak of the wildland fire season and current and forecasted conditions are pointing to a below-normal fire season for the state, according to the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center’s Predictive Services desk.
