Wildland Preparedness Public Education Day event scheduled for Saturday

A Wildland Preparedness Public Education Day event will be held on May 3 at Willow Fire Station 12-1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the West Lakes Fire Station 7-3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The free event is intended to educate Mat-Su Borough residents on how to better prepare for and against wildland fire events this summer.

With a history of devastating wildfires in the Valley, residents will receive knowledge on how to create and execute evacuation plans, prepare their property and houses against fires, how to efficiently and accurately communicate with emergency services and more.

The events fall on Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, which is acknowledged annually across the United States and Canada, and marks the beginning of Wildland Fire Prevention and Preparedness Week in Alaska.

Along with education for preparing against wildfires at the West Lakes Fire Station, attendees will have an opportunity to learn hands-only CPR, receive a station tour and meet Smokey the Bear. Community partners at the event include Horseshoe Lake Firewise, MEA, ENSTAR, Meadow Lake Community Council, American Red Cross, MAT+SAR, Alaska Safety and Willow CERT.

At the Willow Fire Station, attendees will learn about wildfire preparedness in the Upper Valley, play fun games that the entire family can enjoy, eat BBQ hotdogs and receive a free car wash. The Willow Caswell Fire Department, Willow CERT, American Red Cross, Sunshine Community Health and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Emergency Operations Center will be at the event to share their messages and answer questions.

For more information on how to be better prepared for wildland fire safety in the Mat-Su Borough, residents can learn more at: https://firepreparedness.matsugov.us/