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The U.S. Wildland Fire Service in Alaska (USWFS) is 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, USWFS 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. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service in Alaska provides wildland fire suppression services for America’s “Last Frontier” on an interagency basis with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, U.S. 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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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.
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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.
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 