Update June 7, 2022 @ 4:30 pm The #KichatnaFire has grown to 112 acres. Two helicopters from the Mat-Su Alaska Division of Forestry based in Palmer have been dropping water to keep the fire in check and support ground personnel…. Read More ›
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
State forestry, Mat-Su Borough offer free brush disposal sites to reduce human-caused fires
The drop-off sites were established in 2019 on a small scale. With funding assistance from the Division of Forestry and involvement of the Mat-Su Borough Department of Emergency Services and Department of Public Works this program will be available through 2022. Last year, more than 2,100 tons of spruce-beetle-infested brush was collected and disposed of at the designated drop-off sites.
Lichen Fire summary video with clips of air tanker drops, helicopter with bucket and engine crews mopping up
With 100% containment and the fire in monitor status, this video summarizes the last 24 hours of initial attack and suppression response. The 2.5 acre #LichenFire begin in the vicinity of milepost 91 of the Parks Highway north of Willow… Read More ›
Lichen Fire 100% contained at 2.5 acres just before midnight; overnight patrol quiet and Pioneer Peak Hotshots arrived to finish mop up
The 2.5 acre Lichen Fire was declared 100% contained at 11:10pm on July 4th by DNR Type 4 Incident Commander Brian Carver. A coordinated local response with direct fireline construction, air support by both Mat-Su helitack and retardant tankers, and… Read More ›
Mat-Su helitack, crew and local engines use direct fireline and retardant to hammer small 3 acre Lichen Fire north of Willow at mile 91
The small approximately 3-4 acre Lichen Fire (#323) is burning near Lichen Drive in the Upper Susitna area north of Willow around milepost 91 of the Parks Highway. The cause of the fire is under investigation. As of 8:30pm on… Read More ›
Burn closure lifted, but burn suspensions remain in Kenai, Mat-Su
Gradual reduction of extreme danger from existing or new wildfires in some parts of Southcentral Alaska may be creating public confusion about what burning is allowed, and what is still prohibited, a state forestry official said today. “We appreciate the… Read More ›
McKinley Fire Morning Update: 08-30-19 Crews Vigilant for Ash Pits and Falling Trees
Update – Friday, August 30, 2019 @ 9:00 a.m. Norm McDonald, Incident Commander Acreage: 3,316 Containment: 78% Personnel: 564 Start Date: 8/17/2019 Firefighters have been helping Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) restore power and remove fire-damaged trees near power lines. They have made… Read More ›
September 1st McKinley Fire Willow Community Meeting
Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team will host a community meeting at Willow Elementary School on Sunday, September 1st, starting at 3:00PM. Following an update on the McKinley Fire, Incident Commander Norm McDonald will introduce Rocky Mountain Interagency Management Team as… Read More ›
Hunters and campers take note: Mat-Su Borough burn closure includes large parts of Denali and Glenn highways
Hunters heading out to hunt along the Denali or Glenn highways need to be aware that a good portion of both highways are within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and there is an emergency, borough-wide burn closure currently in effect that prohibits… Read More ›
Extreme conditions extend Alaska wildfire season to September 30
With several wildfires burning in Southcentral Alaska and high fire danger persisting due to continued warm, dry conditions, Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feige announced today that Alaska’s statutory wildfire season will be extended from August 31 to September… Read More ›
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 