673d Fire Department promotes wildland safety

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Javier Alvarez
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  According to the U.S. Fire Administration, wildfires burned 9.2 million acres in 2015 - more than five million in Alaska alone.

To prevent such devastating figures in the coming fire season, members of the 673d Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department provide guidance to eliminate fire hazards and reduce the potential for wildfires on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and surrounding communities.

"[This is] expected to be a really dry year, so people are really going to have to get educated about wildfires," said Ford Brooks, 673d CES assistant chief of fire prevention.

Negligence is the most common fire starter during the spring and summer months, and that negligence often includes unattended fires, said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Jones, 673d CES fire inspector.

Before any burn, residents of JBER and in Anchorage can visit the Municipality of Anchorage website to see the day's burn restrictions, which may include barbeques. http://afd.muni.org/


Burn permits are required on JBER and Anchorage for approved fire pits greater than three feet in diameter, Jones said. A spark screen is required with all fire pits on JBER.

All fire pits used at JBER recreational sites like Otter Lake need a permit, Brooks said.

The burning of trash and the use of burn barrels on JBER and Anchorage is prohibited, Jones said.

In the Municipality of Anchorage, only spruce beetle-killed brush can be burned with a permit during the Alaska fire season.

JBER residents can obtain a burn permit through the Fire Prevention Office, in building 724.

Other Alaska residents can visit the Alaska Department of Natural Resources website to view a complete listing of restrictions and requirements, as well as to apply for a burn permit; the site is https://dnr.alaska.gov/burn/fireareas

Grilling can be a popular activity in the summer months, and it's important to practice safe grilling to prevent wildfires.

"Within our regulations [on JBER] you need to have barbeques set at least 10 feet away from your house," Jones said.


Further grilling safety tips provided by the 673d FD include:
-Never leave a grill unattended.
-Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors.
-Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
-Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat build up. 
-Let coals completely cool before disposing of them in a metal container. It is recommended to soak the coals with water to ensure the flames are completely out.

Further wildfire guidance provided by 673d FD includes:
-Never leave a fire unattended.
-Residents should keep combustible material such as wood piles, propane tanks, and other large combustible material at least 30 feet away from their home.
-Dry grass can serve as fuel for fires. Keep your lawns hydrated.
-Residents should clear any leaves and other debris from their lawns.
-Keep gutters clear of leaves and other debris that can serve as a fuel source for fires.

"If people have any fire prevention questions or are unsure, they should not hesitate to call us," Brooks said.

JBER residents with further questions on burn permits and fire safety can contact the fire prevention office at 384-5555.