Performance Details
Department of Natural Resources - Fire Suppression Preparedness
Mission
Ensure wildland fire suppression resources are in a state of readiness to safely manage wildland fires that pose a threat to life, property, and resources on State, private, municipal, and other lands negotiated through agreement commensurate with the values at risk.
Core Services
- Provide for the safety of the public and employees.
- Protect identified values at risk from wildland fire.
- Minimize the impact of fire on the public by reducing human-caused fire starts through education and enforcement, and hazard fuel mitigation.
- Ensure cost effectiveness through appropriate fire management.
- Provide a qualified firefighting workforce with the resources to respond to wildland fires.
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Performance Detail
| A: Result - Provide wildland fire management on state, private, municipal lands and lands negotiated through agreements. |
Target #1: Provide safe, cost effective wildland fire protection services to the State of Alaska.
Fire Starts and Acres Burned (thousands) - Statewide
Analysis of results and challenges: In terms of acreage burned Alaskan fire seasons could best be described as episodic, with a high degree of variability from year to year, though long-term trends point to longer seasons and larger fires, as is being experienced in the western United States as well as in other parts of the world. For instance, with latitudes similar to Alaska, parts of Siberia saw a record-breaking temperatures in 2021 and an estimated 40 million acres burned. Alaska was actually affected by this Siberian smoke through much of the summer. This season, Alaska saw an increase in acreage burned from 2020. but still below average with 254,318 acres burned by 387 fires. Even with the slower seasons, the expansion of communities into the wildland fire / urban interface continues to create challenges for the Division. DOF aggressively suppressed numerous fires near communities that had potential to cause significant damage to private property and infrastructure, and kept them to a small size (under 10 acres). There were also several fires in the Interior during a June/July warm and dry spell that grew to significant size, threated communities and businesses, and necessitated point protection of values at risk. Related links:
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| A1: Core Service - Provide for the safety of the public and employees. |
Target #1: Reduce the impact of wildfire smoke on the public by working to mitigate smoke concerns from fires near communities.
Air Quality Advisories Issued Due to Wildland Fire Smoke
Analysis of results and challenges: Wildland fire in the boreal forest of Alaska is inevitable. If fires burn near communities, the smoke from these fires may become a health issue for those community residents. The Division of Forestry has two potential opportunities to reduce the health impacts to those residents. The first is notification and education. In concert with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Alaskans are provided education of potential health impacts from wildland smoke. In addition, DEC issues Air Quality Advisories (AQA) when wildfire smoke may impact a community. Residents armed with this information can make decisions for themselves on whether they should leave the area, take precautions in place, or not be concerned. The second potential opportunity to reduce health impacts from wildland smoke is to make fire management decisions on fires that can impact the amount of smoke produced. Examples of the range of actions that could be implemented include early season suppression on an ongoing fire to inhibit fire growth to the suppression of new starts within a defined geographic area in proximity to a community. DEC issued eight wildfire related air quality advisories throughout the 2021 fire season, one of which was related to smoke produced by fires in Canada. All of the other advisories were triggered by smoke from larger fires in the Interior, including Munson Creek and the Haystack fires. DOF coordinated with DEC and kept the public informed through various media outlets. Suppression efforts also reduced the probability of smoke effects to communities around Alaska. Related links:
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| A2: Core Service - Protect identified values at risk from wildland fire. |
Target #1: Contain more than 90% of wildland fires at less than 10 acres within Alaska's heavily populated areas (Critical and Full Management Options) in accordance with the Alaska Interagency Wildland Fire Management Plan.
Percentage of Fires Successfully Contained at Less Than 10 Acres
Analysis of results and challenges: Fire Management Options (Critical, Full, Modified, Limited) are areas that have been predesignated by federal and state fire managers in Alaska to geographically prioritize initial protection actions. The Fire Management Options help allocate available firefighting resources, optimize agency land use plans, and keep fire suppression costs commensurate with values at risk. The Critical and Full management option areas respectively receive the first and second highest priority for fire suppression, and are usually found surrounding communities or other areas with numerous values at risk. A key goal of the division is to contain 90% of wildland fires at less than 10 acres within Critical and Full management option areas. In 2021, 99% of fires in the Critical management option and 83% of fires within the Full management option were contained at less than 10 acres with a combined success rate of 95%. Several of these fires had potential to threaten structures and other urban values had they not been suppressed and kept small. The Haystack (927 ac.) and Yankovich fires (3.5 ac.) in the Fairbanks Area both ignited near subdivisions, and were aggressively suppressed utilizing retardant and water scooping aircraft, helicopters and ground based personnel. The About Mountain fire near McGrath ignited in a Full suppression area, though due to high initial attack fire activity around the State, sufficient resources to catch the fire were not available. The fire grew to over 2000 acres, and required staffing for several weeks to control as resources became available. |
Target #2: Prevent the loss of identified structures to wildland fire, consistent with the Alaska Interagency Fire Management Plan protection level.
Analysis of results and challenges: In 2021, no known structures were burned in DOF protection areas for the second year in a row. Three notable fires with high potential for impacting structures were the Brock Road , Haystack Mountain and Yankovich fires in Fairbanks area which were all aggressively suppressed. These fires were located within densely populated areas, particularly the Yankovich and Brock Road fires which if allowed to grow would have immediately impacted homes. Fire management agencies prioritize the protection of permitted structures and determine the chance of success of based on the location of fire start, weather, fuel characteristics, and fuels reduction work done in advance by homeowners to protect their own property. It is imperative that fire managers identify values at risk within the vicinity of a developing fire as soon as possible if they are to be protected. The Known Sites Database (KSD) is an interagency tool that houses the location of structures and other values, and is especially useful in rural areas where there is a lack of municipal structure records. Fire and land management agencies collect site data while in the field and enter it into the KSD. Thousands of sites have been collected over the last eight years and as more people move into the remote areas of Alaska, this project continues to expand. |
| A3: Core Service - Minimize the impact of fire on the public by reducing human-caused fire starts through education and enforcement, and hazard fuel mitigation. |
Target #1: Reduce the number of human-caused wildfires to below 3.5 fires per capita (per ten thousand) through active management of open burning timeframes and follow-up enforcement actions.
Human-Caused Fires Per Capita (ten thousand)
Analysis of results and challenges: The division’s fire prevention, investigation, and enforcement program continued to focus on its goal of reducing human-caused fires by 10% annually in critically identified wildland urban interface zones. The program was successful through various planning, education, engineering, investigation, and enforcement methods and platforms. “Spruce Moose” the Take Time to LEARN Before You Burn DOF wildland fire prevention mascot made his first appearances this season in a continuing effort to brand the campaign and raise public awareness about the impact of human caused wildland fires in Alaska. The program was awarded a $300K Federally funded matched WUI grant for a Phase 2 of the “Take Time to LEARN Before You Burn” public education campaign with includes post-season staff funding as part of the divisions focus on recruitment and retention, new fire danger rating signage, public education out reach materials and extended funding for the long term non-perm project assistant hired to over the grant and its associated objectives. The DOF sent to two qualified wildland fire investigators to assist the state of South Dakota this past season to further strength relationships between the two State programs and enhance interagency cooperation. The focus for 2022 will be to continue to build off the high level of success achieved to date by reinforcing what has already been accomplished and expanding upon new opportunities as they are created to reduce the impacts of human caused wildfires in Alaska. Related links:
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Target #2: Increase the mitigation of hazard fuels through mechanical fuel treatments, prescribed burning, and hand-thinning as identified in Community Wildfire Protection Plans.
Hazardous Fuels Treatment Grant Funds as identified by Federal Grants and Acres Treated
Analysis of results and challenges: In 2021, 155 acres were treated as part of the Community Wildfire Protection Plans. In 2009, 2010, and 2011, the division and its cooperators received large federal grants through the stimulus funding to treat acres to reduce the threat of wildland fire to communities and neighborhoods. Additional federal funds have been obtained through the highly competitive Western States Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) grant program. As these federal funding sources decrease, the number of acres treated has decreased. In the last two years, the Division of Forestry has received approximately $17 million in CIP funds to execute fuels mitigation treatments. We anticipate receiving more funding in the future for these critical projects that help keep Alaskans safe from wildland fire. Implementing these proactive fuel mitigation treatments will require DOF to increase its capacity before seeing significant increases in treatment acres. Starting in FY23, State funding will be added to the performance measures targets. Key issues facing Alaska include: the rapid expansion of population into more of the forested lands, the build-up of hazardous fuels due to the spruce bark beetle epidemic, and climate change. The magnitude of the hazardous fuels mitigation work, as identified in Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) outpaces federal funding available. Related links:
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Target #3: Raise public awareness concerning hazardous fuels on private property through an increase in the number of completed Firewise home assessments.
Individual Home Assessments (Firewise)
Analysis of results and challenges: The Division of Forestry conducts individual site assessments to assist homeowners with determining if their property and home are defensible from wildland fire. This program, nationally known as Firewise, is an important way to educate the public as to the ways they can protect themselves from the impacts of a wildland fire. The division is actively promoting the concept of homeowner responsibility through these home assessments. In the past this effort was frequently in concert with local fire departments and governments. Homeowners must recognize and take responsibility for the dangers posed by living in a fire prone ecosystem and take appropriate steps to mitigate the hazard. These assessments evaluate and detail the work needed to make individual properties and homes Firewise. The program includes coordinated planning efforts at the local community level, homeowner education, and hazard fuel reduction through a variety of methods. This has proven nationally to be the most effective means of imparting this shared responsibility. Despite a reduction in federal funding, the division has continued to complete assessments statewide. Stewardship Foresters initiated 133 home Firewise assessments and completed 46 follow-up visits. Private homes were evaluated for wildland fire risks. Homeowners applied for WUI cost share grants to help offset the costs of reducing their risks. Approximately 83 acres of private lands were treated and $80,100 in costs were reimbursed. Related links:
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| A4: Core Service - Ensure cost effectiveness through appropriate fire management. |
Target #1: Minimize the cost per acre burned on lands in remote areas of Alaska in accordance with the Alaska Interagency Wildland Fire Management Plan.
Cost of Fire Suppression Per Acre Burning
Analysis of results and challenges: The inter-agency fire management community strives to protect human life, private property and natural and cultural resources, while allowing fire to follow its natural role in the boreal forest. This strategy allows for the protection of identified values while minimizing cost of fire suppression. Fires in the wildland urban interface tend to be expensive due to the large number of homes and businesses that must be protected. The division strives to balance the cost of fire suppression actions with the potential long-term impacts of fire exclusion. The limited protection option is designed for broad, landscape areas where low density and wide distribution of values to be protected best allows for fire to function in its natural role. Fire managers use a combination of science and experience to make the appropriate decision on each fire as it is discovered. As each fire is reported, fire managers examine the weather collected from remote weather stations, determine the availability of vegetation to burn based on recent weather, and in some cases model fire spread probability based on the fire's location. The probability of the fire's spread to populated areas is estimated and managers make the decision whether full suppression of the fire is the preferred option. Cost/Acre is highly variable from year to year due to the fact that on large seasons, fires can get large (especially in rural areas) with very little expense, while in Urban areas small fires can be quite expensive, due to aggressive initial attack. |
| B: Result - Maintain and support adequate firefighting resources for response to wildland fires. |
Target #1: Fill the firefighting needs for the average fire season with Alaskan firefighters.
Percent of Alaskan Crews & Individuals Assigned to Alaska Fires / Total Needed
Analysis of results and challenges: Department Order 017 identifies that the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry provide a strong initial attack, management and support capability to assure maximum efficiency is achieved for an average fire year based on the historical fire occurrence. As the complexity and length of the fire season increases, the need for experienced personnel to manage these fires has become even more critical. Extensive knowledge and training are necessary to make timely decisions about strategy and tactics. This is more critical as the urban interface environment and the responsibilities to protect lives, homes and communities continues to grow. A successful program requires a trained, experienced Alaskan firefighting workforce combined with infrastructure, equipment, and logistical support. Within DOF Fire Management Areas, there has been a consistent turnover of fire managers, Type 3 Incident Commanders, Division Supervisors as well as dispatch and aviation personnel. Recruitment and retention of a qualified firefighting force within the DOF has been challenging due to the short season of employment combined with more competitive wages and benefits in the private and Federal sectors. Despite the slower than average Alaska fire season, Alaska still needed to order 304 single resource overhead, 5 crews and 13 aircraft to be mobilized from the L-48 for assistance. The division's need for Lower-48 firefighting resources (agency crews, contract crews, and individuals with advanced training to meet initial and extended attack suppression objectives) should be replaced with increased in-state capacity to provide jobs to Alaskans. The division hired fifteen short term non-permanent positions (STNP) for thirty days each. These STNPs were divided among the DOF areas and helped to fill basic firefighting personnel needs such as engine and helicopter crewmembers and wildland fire dispatchers. 30 task books were issued for these positions, and by the end of the season 5 were certified as "full qualified". A five person STNP helitack module with was formed in McGrath, providing the area with additional capacity to provide helicopter supported initial attack in the area, while providing the STNPs with valuable fire experience. Related links:
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| B1: Core Service - Provide a qualified firefighting workforce with the resources to respond to wildland fires. |
Target #1: Provide wildland fire training to agency personnel, fire departments, and urban and rural communities.
Analysis of results and challenges: A broad range of training is provided to firefighters, ranging from introductory classes for first year firefighters to advanced training for returning firefighters and fire managers. Efficient, cost effective, safe, and successful initial attack relies on the highly trained seasonal firefighters, structure/volunteer local fire departments, local Emergency Firefighters (EFF) and crews. Annual training and certification ensure the availability of this workforce when needed during fire activity and meets national standards which qualify them for further fire assignments. The number of EFF, Fire Department and Forestry personnel trained in 2021 rebounded after a steep decline last year due to COVID, but was still slightly below average. There were still challenges in conducting training during the pandemic, and dealing with the various policies of each agency involved. The challenge for the division is to ensure that the training provided is meeting the needs of firefighters and managers on Alaska fires. This challenge is currently met with a training staff that plans, coordinates, and provides specific fire courses designed to develop Alaska's firefighters for the future. These courses are provided to the inter-agency fire community which provides leverage for the Division to provide extensive opportunities to its employees and cooperators. Related links:
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Target #2: Assist local area fire departments in preparing for wildland fire response by providing wildland fire training and increasing fire department capacity through the Volunteer Fire Assistance grant program.
Local Fire Department Personnel Received Wildland Fire Training
Analysis of results and challenges: Rural fire departments often provide the first responders as the first line of defense in coping with fires and other emergencies in rural communities. The Division of Forestry has VFD/SFD Annual Operating Agreements with 26 departments within the division's fire protection management area. These agreements specify how the fire department and Forestry will support one another in the suppression of wildland fires within the department's service area. The division administers federal Volunteer Fire Assistance grants to fire departments through a competitive process to assist department with training, supplies and equipment. In CY2021, the Division provided $154,248 in pass through grants to a total of 33 fire departments. The Division also provides the departments with the opportunity to obtain federal equipment through the Firefighter Property Program (FFP) and the Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP). Many skills taught and used in structural firefighting are similar to skills in wildland firefighting. The division provides basic wildland fire training and annual safety refreshers. These courses bridge the gap between advanced skills and leadership training in the structural fire departments to the advanced skills and leadership requirements in the wildland fire community. Related links:
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Target #3: Utilize Alaska vendors to supply equipment and services to wildfires.
Alaskan Vendors Supplying Equipment, Supplies, and Services during Fire Suppression Actions
Analysis of results and challenges: Firefighting requires substantial amounts of equipment and supplies to be delivered in a short amount of time, often for only a very short amount of time. Therefore, the division has developed a program of emergency equipment rental agreements to provide equipment such as dozers, boats, ATVs, land use agreements, fresh food, and buses. This provides widespread economic stimulus to local Alaskan vendors. These vendors are hired locally, often from the community that is potentially affected by the fire. In 2021, wildland fire response contributed to Alaska's economy by utilizing 394 equipment and supply vendors, for over $6 million worth of services. These vendors provide services such as food, equipment, fuel, and other support needed to support wildland fire fighters in the field. Related links:
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Current as of October 25, 2021