Local fire department hosts wildfire preparedness open house

Memorial Day is right around the corner, classes are nearly finished for the local schools, and tourists have already been seen hitting the Mat-Su Borough, which can only mean one thing-summer is here. And while the time for fun and sun is brief, the risk for fires increases. To increase awareness and learn how to prepare in case of a wildfire, the Central Mat-Su Fire Department (CMSFD) hosted a Wildfire Preparedness Open House over the weekend at Station 6-1 in Wasilla.

“This is our annual wildland fire preparedness event CMSFD Chief Michael Keenan. The event allowed people to see the station’s newest fire truck and check out the apparatus firefighters use every day.

Throughout the fire station, different stations were set up and check out, with children collecting stickers and residents able to get free street address signs, helpful for first responders to better locate residents in case of an emergency.

Children also had the chance to learn and practice firefighting skills with the help of CMSFD firefighters.

“Preparedness is always a good thing to talk about.”

Chief Keenan wants visitors to know the local rules and regulations, that there are some places in state and national parks that do not allow campfires and the like, especially in the back country. He recommends people visit local websites where they can find valuable information about preparing “go bags” at the ready in case an evacuation is needed, as well as how to establish a plan to get out before fires spread.

If the weather conditions turn dry, as they do in the middle to late summer months, authorities will have fire restrictions in place to ensure safety.

The lack of snow is also a concern, says Chief Keenan, but he remains cautiously optimistic in regards to the precipitation the Mat-Su has been getting in recent weeks.

“We’ve been very fortunate with the amount of rain that’s mitigated some of that early season we were concerned about and getting some of that green up. So as the fuels (aka grass) green up, the moisture gets a little bit better, the grass fires aren’t as big a deal now. But as we get into the season, we still didn’t have that snow pack that created that real wet surface for us, so the potential for us to have a significant season. We’re still concerned about it.”

“So far, it hasn’t been as bad as we thought it was going to be. That’s a blessing to us.”

He also reminds everyone to never leave a campfire unattended, and when finished with the fires, Chief Keenan says to ensure it is properly extinguished, meaning dumping water on it, feeling the area with your hands and making sure there are no hot embers left over.

He also warns off people from lighting fireworks.

“You can purchase fireworks in Houston, but fireworks are not legal to fire off in the Mat-Su Valley, except during New Year’s Eve. We don’t recommend people firing off fireworks anytime. Just rely on the local shows that go off.”

While the fire departments throughout the state will do what they can to mitigate fire danger, it is still up to visitors to be vigilant and stay informed.

“If we do get into a fire season and you’re near a wildland fire that’s burning, be aware to what’s going on. Pay attention to the news reports and follow the guidelines of the local (fire) jurisdictions. If they order an evacuation, follow those orders. Because what ends up happening with us is folks try to hang around too long, and then they get themselves in trouble, and they call for help while we’re trying to put the fire out.” He says that when people don’t evacuate, that can take responders away from the fire and tie up resources, something he has had to do frequently. “Follow the directions of officials.”

He also recommends people make plans now in case of a fire.

“If you live in a forested area, where the trees meet the home, go to the websites of local emergency services, and we have directions, information about defensible space. Making sure your property is prepared for a wildfire that may come in.”

He says that the local websites also have valuable information about preparing “go bags” at the ready in case an evacuation is needed, as well as how to establish a plan to meet up with family members, how to reach each other if the phone system goes down, and to get out of the neighborhood, as far too many have only one way in and one way out.

“What happens if that gets cut off? What are the options? Is there a safe place to wait out the fire?”

He says that having these plans should not just be in the event of a wildfire, but any time a fire could break out.

CMSFD is the second largest and second busiest fire department in Alaska, providing fire protection services to the Central Mat-Su Fire Service Area through eight fire station/public safety buildings. The CMSFD Service Area includes the Trunk Road corridor and lands west including the entire City of Wasilla, plus the entire Knik Goose Bay Road area and up to mile six (6) of Point MacKenzie Road.