Contributed by Debra McGhan
Spring, that beautiful season for the rebirth of amazing plants, the return of waterfowl to nest and the end of hibernation for many animals.
It’s also a time when the snow slowly melts uncovering dry leaves and brush and the start of fire season. You might think all that snow would saturate the ground making it hard for brush to burn, but you would be seriously mistaken.
As of May 10, 2022, the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center, a coordinated effort of agencies to predict wildfire and smoke concerns in Alaska, is already tracking five active wild fires in our state. One recent fire near Wasilla was found to be an unattended burn pile that had reignited. Fortunately, this was reported by the Wasilla Police Department Matcom division and Forestry responded, quickly extinguishing the blaze before it got out of control.
A strong reminder that we humans are the key to either scorching our community or keeping it safe. I for one hate the thought of Alaska turning into another California where wildfires are a daily, horrifying threat. But as Smokey Bear would remind us, only we can prevent this from happening.
Starting April 1st, you must obtain a burn permit if you plan to burn and there’s good reason for that. The process is free and pretty simple and will provide you with great tips to help you prevent an innocent fire from becoming a life threatening disaster for yourself and your community. Just go to https://dnr.alaska.gov/burn and you’ll be provided with the form and all the information needed to ensure a safe, legal fire.
According to the Alaska Division of Forestry, in the past 20 years Alaska has seen a trend toward earlier, longer and more intense fire seasons. We have all seen this trend escalate across the planet. Just look at states like Arizona, New Mexico, California and Colorado if you need more evidence.
I remember one summer in Wasilla, while sitting at my desk working late one night, I spotted a flash of a silver row boat on the lake outside my window and noticed three young men fishing. For the next hour I glanced up occasionally to watch as they caught fish and then built a fire on the opposite shore to cook their catch. I worried. Lack of rain had left everything tinder dry. But several hours later, the men left and everything remained quiet and calm. I assumed they had extinguished their fire and everything was going to be just fine. Until the next day.
It was early afternoon when I spotted a sudden flash of bright red sparks shooting into the sky and I realized in horror, the tops of several dry swamp spruce were ablaze with flames. The campfire the fishermen had left reignited and was now threatening the entire area.
Tamping down my panic, I quickly alerted the division of forestry and my neighbors and we were able to smother the fire and prevent this would-be nightmare.
It makes me wonder just how many times our community has been spared by luck and chance interventions like this. Because it hasn’t always been that way. The Sockeye Fire near Willow in 2015 and Miller’s Reach fire around Big Lake in 1996 burned nearly 45,000 acres and destroyed more than 400 structures.
If you have ever been impacted by a wildfire, you understand that they can grow out of control quickly, and when driven by wind, actually start generating their own weather destroying everything in their path.
This spring, take the time to ensure your home has defensible space cleared, obtain a burn permit if you plant to burn, and never throw a lit cigarette out of a moving vehicle. According to the US Department of Interior and Firewise here are a few simple steps we can all take to prevent wildfires.
1. Check the weather and drought conditions which can affect the flammability of vegetation
2. Build your campfire in an open area far from flammables
3. Always douse your campfire with water and dirt until it’s cold
4. Keep vehicles off of dry grasses
5. Use caution when using flammable liquids
6. Never burn debris when it’s windy or restricted
7. Carry a shovel, bucket and a fire extinguisher in your vehicle to put out fires
8. Always check conditions and regulations before using fireworks
9. Dragging chains or car parts can throw sparks – Always secure these things and keep your vehicle in good condition to avoid this from happening
10. If target shooting, always shoot in areas clear of dry vegetation
Let’s all do our part this spring and summer to keep the Matanuska-Susitna a beautiful place to recreate and live free from wildfires.