DOF&FP hosts session on becoming ‘Fire-wise in the Valley’

While officially, spring is still weeks away, most in the Mat-Su Borough need only step outside to see the lack of snow, dry conditions, and grass sprouting up to feel concerned about what this could mean for the summer, and the risk of wildfires breaking out.

“Just looking outside right now, we’re not in a good spot. We don’t have the moisture, so we just don’t know right now,” said Jacob Ruhl, a Stewardship Forester with the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection (DOF&FP).

It is with that sense of concern that many people turned out the Wasilla Library on March 4 to learn more about what they can do to become more fire wise and help mitigate the dangers around their homes in case of a fire.

The DOF&FP discussed steps residents can take to reduce the risk of wildfire, learn about cost-share opportunities, and effective fuels reduction strategies.

Last year, there were 377 wildfires throughout the state of Alaska that burned over 667,000 acres, with most of them being caused by humans. In 2024, within the DOF jurisdiction, there were 119 acres of the scorched land were on private lands, with 50 structures threatened. While they were able to save 45 of those structures, there remains a 3 to 1 ratio of firefighters per threatened structures.

Ruhl said that homes ignite in much the same manner as fires advance, with direct flame making contact with combustible materials, radiant heat on nearby combustible materials, or wind-borne materials landing on combustible materials.

The only difference being that homes ignite when the combustible material is on or near the home.

“The misconception is that structures burn by being overrun by fire, that’s not as common as being burnt by embers.” Meaning fires can start from embers sparking in gutters, below decks, even crevices, and he urged people to cover open items with a mesh screen, keep combustible materials in a radius greater than 5 feet from houses and buildings.

“Just removing one of the pieces of the ‘fire triangle’ which is fuel, heat, and oxygen. By removing fuel of timber, grass, and brush can mitigate the spreading of fire.” He said that removing dead and overgrown brush and limbs up to six feet or higher, thinning or pruning trees and shrubs, and spacing trees out 10 to 15 feet is recommended. Ruhl also advised removing brush and vegetation that may be toughing the homes and other structures.

Ruhl also recommended keeping deciduous trees such as aspen and birch near home can act as “ember catchers” and soak up and extinguish embers before they have a chance to spark.

Some other fire-wise steps people can take include keeping trees and shrubs watered and healthy, cap chimneys with spark arresters, keep garden hoses and other fire tools such as rakes and shovels readily available, and stacking firewood at least 30 feet from houses, to name a few.

“That’s where (residents’) prep comes into play. Adding these fire-wise steps can really come into play in making your homes defensible so that it can be saved in case there is a wildfire.”

Ruhl also reminded the audience that with Alaska’s unique location and considerable size, it isn’t always easy to reach every wildfire and the logistics needed to utilize firefighting support from the lower 48 can be difficult.

“Really think before you set a spark on something.” Implementing just a few fire-wise steps can increase the survival of homes and structures in the event of a wildfire and give firefighters a better chance of defending homes.

Residents interested in doing more to become fire-wise can request a free fire-wise assessment personalized to your home. Foresters can make site visits to homes, surveying adjacent property and suggest immediate actions and recommendations.

“We are willing to come out and help residents out and help

For more information, please visit the DOF&FP at www.forestry.alaska.gov/fire/firewise