Alaska DoF and JBER Fire Department execute annual burns
Members from the Alaska Division of Forestry and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Fire Department start burning approximately 1,700 acres of military training grounds including firing ranges and drop zones in a prescribed burn at JBER, Alaska, May 2, 2016. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, last winter in Alaska was the second warmest on record dating back to 1925. Combined with record-low snowfall and precipitation, the chance of fire activity greatly increases as combustible dry detritus accumulates. Controlled burns reduce the chance of spot fires by removing excess dry brush and grass. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher R. Morales)