BY ALASKA DIVISION OF FORESTRY & FIRE PROTECTION April 30th, 2026 Fourteen days at Birchwood Camp transformed 29 strangers from villages, towns, and crews across Alaska into one class of fireline-ready firefighters. The morning of the 28th at Birchwood Camp… Read More ›
Wildfire Academy
Forged in the Cold: Alaska’s 2026 Intermediate Wildland Firefighter Academy Builds the Next Generation
One of the coldest winters Alaska has seen in years has left the campus around Birchwood Camp buried in snow, with minimal melt-off and temperatures that bite. It hasn’t slowed a single thing. The 2026 Alaska Intermediate Wildland Firefighter Academy… Read More ›
Intermediate Wildfire Academy: Strengthening Partnerships and Equipping Cadets for Career Advancement
By working together, agencies can leverage their collective expertise and resources to address the complex challenges posed by wildfires and protect lives, property, and natural resources. The 2024 Intermediate Wildfire Academy currently underway in Chugiak marks a multiyear and… Read More ›
Preparing Tomorrow’s Firefighters: The 2024 Alaska Basic Wildland Firefighter Academy
This immersive training program aims to equip entry level cadets with the skills, knowledge, and mental fortitude required to suppress wildfires in one of the most challenging environments. From April 21st to April 30th, 25 aspiring firefighters from across Alaska… Read More ›