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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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Solicitation period opens for BLM Alaska Fire Service Type 2 firefighting contract crews in Western Alaska
Potential contractors have until April 26 to submit proposals The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (BLM AFS) is accepting contract proposals for Type 2 wildland firefighting hand crews based in Western Alaska villages for the 2021 fire season…. Read More ›
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A helping shot
Alaskan firefighting personnel support national vaccination effort Several Alaskan firefighting personnel including BLM Alaska Fire Service employees have stepped up to aid the effort to provide COVID-19 vaccinations across the nation. Five AFS personnel and an emergency hire sponsored by BLM in Alaska are working in support of a mechanism that allows utilizing firefighting… Read More ›
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BLM Alaska Fire Service recruiting for 2021 North Star Fire Crew members
The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (BLM AFS) is now accepting applications for the 2021 North Star Fire Crew. Based at BLM AFS headquarters on Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, the North Star Crew is a Type 2 training… Read More ›
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BLM AFS seeking to add village-based Type 2 wildland firefighting contract crews in Western Alaska
Solicitation period expected Feb. 25- March 26, 2021 FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Contract proposals for Western Alaska Village-based Type 2 wildland firefighting hand crews will be sought for the 2021 fire season by about March 26, 2021, according to a pre-solicitation notice published… Read More ›
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2021 medical requirements for all federal EFF
March 3 update: All federal emergency firefighters in Alaska must have the medical certification by March 30 in order to participate in the Work Capacity Test (pack test) for the 2021 fire season. Original information (Jan. 26): All Emergency Firefighter… Read More ›
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BLM to burn woody debris piles near Tanacross to reduce wildfire danger
Signs of Smoke No Cause for Alarm to Tanacross, Tok or motorists FAIRBANKS – The Bureau of Land Management personnel will burn woody debris piles on land it manages near Tanacross Oct. 26-31 to reduce the risk of wildfire, protect private property… Read More ›
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Four Alaska Fire Service employees lauded for life-saving programs and deeds
[Boise, Idaho] – Four Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service ( BLM AFS) employees received national 2019 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Oct. 5 for their significant contributions to the wildland… Read More ›
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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.
