JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Crews from JBER Fire and Emergency Services, U.S. Army Alaska and the Air Force Wildland Fire Branch JBER Wildland Support Module will conduct multiple prescribed fires on JBER training lands beginning May 3.
Prescribed burns are fires 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.
As conditions allow, prescribed burning will take place on both Richardson Training Area North and RTA South ranges and will occur for several weeks until all units are complete or weather conditions degrade. The RTA North is located between Knik Arm and the Glenn Highway, northwest of Eagle River and south of Birchwood Airport. RTA South ranges are located east of Glenn Highway between Muldoon and Eagle River.
While smoke may be visible from various points along the Glenn Highway in Anchorage, Eagle River and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley during prescribed fires, their potential impact on the public is considered at all stages of prescribed fire planning. JBER wildland fire mitigation crews work closely with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Air Quality and the National Weather Service to alleviate potential impacts. Procedures are in place to halt ignitions if unfavorable wind or other conditions change.
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.
The exact timing of the prescribed fires will depend on weather conditions and range availability.
Subsequent press releases may provide 24-hour and day-of notifications.
All prescribed burns are executed under ADEC Open Burn Approval # AQ1438OBR07.
For more information, contact Air Force Wildland Fire Branch WSM Lead Jon Glover at 907 727-1330 j.glover@colostate.edu.