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.
Alaska Division of Forestry
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 ›
Haystack Fire estimated at 500 acres; crews and dozers working to build control lines
UPDATE 10 p.m. The Haystack Fire north of Fairbanks is currently estimated 500 acres and crews are working diligently to secure the southern edge of the fire to protect residences in the Haystack Subdivision, which is located approximately 2 miles… Read More ›
State forestry working to confine, contain 300-acre wildfire 6 miles south of McGrath on Kuskokwim River
The Alaska Division of Forestry has deployed a team of 12 smokejumpers from the BLM Alaska Fire Service on an estimated 300-acre wildfire burning along the east bank of the Kuskokwim River approximately 6 miles south of McGrath. The About… Read More ›
Firefighters gain ground containing wildfires near Haystack Mountain and Ft. Knox Gold Mine north of Fairbanks
Firefighters from both the Division of Forestry and BLM Alaska Fire Service are making progress containing two wildfires about 20 miles apart north of Fairbanks. Approximately 60 firefighter personnel are attacking the Haystack Fire (#196), is located about one-half mile… Read More ›
Loon Lake Fire 15% contained and size reduced to 75 acres, more firefighters on the way
Better mapping has reduced the size of the Loon Lake Fire (#180) burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge from 150 to approximately 75 acres as of early Monday morning. Little growth was expected overnight following an aggressive aerial attack… Read More ›
Aerial attack greatly reduces fire behavior on 150-acre Loon Lake Fire
Here’s a 7 p.m. photo of the Loon Lake Fire following a ramped-up aerial assault on the 150-acre wildfire burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge that included water drops from two water-scooping aircraft from the BLM Alaska Fire Service… Read More ›
Firefighters gain ground containing Rosie Creek and Salcha River wildfires near Fairbanks
Firefighters continue working to fully contain two small wildfires burning on opposite sides of the Tanana Valley near Fairbanks. The 1-acre Rosie Creek Fire (#174), which was reported early Saturday afternoon in the Rosie Creek area about 14 miles southwest… Read More ›
Loon Lake Fire in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge grows to almost 6 acres but minimal fire activity reported
Four firefighters from the Kenai/Kodiak Area Forestry station remained overnight on the Loon Lake Fire (#180) after arriving Saturday night to begin suppression action. The fire was reported at approximately 8 p.m. Saturday by multiple parties, both from the Sterling… Read More ›
Aggressive aerial attack quashes small wildfire in Rosie Creek area southwest of Fairbanks
A rapid aerial assault by water-bombing aircraft has helped tame a small wildfire in the Rosie Creek area south of Fairbanks in check while firefighters on the ground mobilize to further contain the blaze. The Rosie Creek Fire (#174) was… Read More ›