PALMER Alaska -- The Alaska Division of Forestry is planning prescribed burning on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson starting on May 1.
Crews from the Division of Forestry, Chugach National Forest and JBER Fire Department will all take part in the operation.
The burns will target grassy fuels present on approximately 1,775 acres of military training ranges. The goal is to remove fine fuels present in those areas to reduce the threat of wildfires from incidental starts that sometimes occur during training.
Burning the ranges now allows for more uninterrupted training opportunities. When fires do start on ranges, all training is halted until fires are suppressed.
A prescribed burn plan has been developed by the Alaska Division of Forestry and approved for the project. Open burn approvals from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation have also been obtained.
Weather parameters have been developed to ensure the fire behavior does not exceed capabilities of assigned fire personnel. The burn is anticipated to last 3 to 7 days, depending on the weather.
Smoke from the burns will be visible along the Glenn Highway and portions of the Anchorage, Eagle River, and Mat-Su Valley communities.
For more information, contact Fire Management Officer Norm McDonald at the Anchorage-Mat-Su Area Forestry office at 907-761-6302.
CONTACT: Norm McDonald, 907-761-6302, norman.mcdonald@alaska.gov