JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Air Force Wildland Fire Branch JBER WSM (AFWFB JBER WSM), JBER Fire and Emergency Services (JBER FES) and U.S. Army Alaska (USARAK) will conduct multiple prescribed fires on JBER lands starting April 27. As conditions allow, prescribed burning will take place on both Richardson Training Area (RTA) North and RTA South ranges and will continue until all units are complete or weather conditions degrade.
Prescribed burns are fires that are intentionally set under controlled conditions to reduce hazardous fuels and lower the risk of wildfires that could impact nearby communities, resources, facilities and military training. Removing hazardous fuels during the spring, when conditions are moderated, allows for the greatest degree of control and the lowest risk for negative impacts, such as smoke.
While smoke may be visible from various points in the surrounding communities during prescribed fires, their potential impact on the public is considered at all stages of prescribed fire planning. AFWFB JBER WSM, JBER FES and USARAK work closely with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Air Quality and the National Weather Service to mitigate potential impacts. There are also procedures in place to halt ignitions if conditions change, including unfavorable wind conditions.
Guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and the Alaska Department of Health and Human Services will be followed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission among our personnel and the communities we work in.
Prescribed burning is planned at the following locations:
Richardson Training Area South
Small Arms Complex (Grazelka)
Small Arms Complex (Statler/Oates)
Small Arms Complex (Ranges TBD)
Integrated Squad Battle Course (ISBC)
Richardson Training Area North
Digital Multi-Purpose Training Range
Malamute Drop Zone (MMDZ)
Integrated Platoon Battle Course (IPBC)
The exact timing of the prescribed fires will depend on weather conditions and range availability. Subsequent press releases will provide 24-hour and day-of notifications. All prescribed burns will be executed under the following ADEC Open Burn Approval # AQ1438OBR06
For more information, contact Air Force Wildland Fire Branch WSM Lead Jon Glover at 907 727-1330
j.glover@colostate.edu