Wildfire Division Projects

AFD Wildfire Division Fuels Mitigation Projects

The Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) identifies wildfire mitigation projects throughout the MOA. The projects below reflect ongoing efforts to reduce wildfire risk and improve community resilience.

Each project is thoughtfully planned and project timelines may change as planning, coordination, environmental review, and funding opportunities evolve. For more information on project prioritization and planning considerations, please refer to Appendix D of the CWPP or email wildfire@muni.org.

On this page: Fuels mitigation videos - Benefits of fuels mitigation - How projects are typically performed - How you can stay informed - Current/Planned projects within the Municipality

Videos:

Check out the video on shaded fuel breaks produced in partnership of Sunshine Productions and the AFD Wildfire Division as well as a host of other informative videos below.

A Prescription?

Think about a fuels mitigation prescription similar to a prescription from a physician. If you consider the majority of medical conditions we face, you may recognize that treatment plans vary from person to person, customized to their specific needs and goals.

Similarly, every fuel break prescription is different.

Experts consider the fuels, topography, habitat, environmental concerns, and overall need and objectives to determine the appropriate prescription.

Benefits

Fuel treatments can slow the progression of a wildfire, provide safer evacuation for the public, and establish location for firefighters to operate and limit fire spread.

Shaded fuel breaks, specifically, provide a means for habitat preservation. By leaving trees behind, habitats that rely on cooler temperatures are better preserved. For example, fish that are sensitive to fluctuations in water temperatures, are less affected because their habitat remains cool.

While it may seem that we are taking away from the forests we all love, these breaks will help us truly preserve these forests. If we do not manage the fuels within our forests, it is likely we will see even more acreage burned than any amount of acreage we may treat.

Fuels Mitigation Work: A Partnership

We work collaboratively with community members, landowners, land managers, foresters, and wildlife experts when creating prescriptions and scopes of work.

Stay Informed

1. We have, and continue to, inform community members of anticipated fuels mitigation work. Attendance of community council meetings is your best bet at learning of what is happening.

2. When possible, we will engage media outlets and utilize social media to provide updates.

3. Monitor our website for updates

Do Your Part

Community members often ask us what they can do to help. The biggest, most impactful way you can help is to work on your own property to establish defensible space. If you are capable, we highly encourage you to help those you know and who live around you, who may not be as capable of performing work. Learn more about Firewise by clicking here. You can request a free Firewise property assessment and you can also help us out by telling us when your property is Firewise.

Funding

The AFD Wildfire Division has established a strategic plan for carrying out fuels mitigation projects throughout the municipality. One of the biggest challenges we face is the need to fund each project, and we largely rely upon grant funds. As we are awarded grants, we prioritize projects that protect single access/egress routes and those that make the most impact on life safety.

Tools & Tricks of the Trade

Many types of tools and equipment will be used to perform fuels mitigation work and are often described within a project scope. Here are some common tools you might see in Anchorage:

Masticator- attachment often on a skid-steer or excavator that uses rotating teeth or hammers to crush and grind vegetation. Can be used to reduce the fuel load and leave a park-like environment. This image was taken by DFFP. View a video about the masticators on the Campbell Airstrip Road project here.

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Chain Saw/Hand Crew: Hand crews are typically used in sensitive areas, such as habitat. They are also used in areas that heavy equipment cannot access the treatment area. This image is of Alaska's Gannet Glacier Hotshot crew, performing mitigation work.

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Wood Chipper: a machine that converts limbs, branches and other wood waste into small wood chips. These come in various sizes and designs to be used based upon their needed capacity and means of getting them to the work area.

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Pile Burning: crews collect debris into piles that are burned by experts under controlled conditions. This is a tactic frequently used throughout Alaska and is often the safest, most efficient means to dispose of wildfire fuels. The image was taken of Alaskan BLM crews. View a video of hand crews and pile burning from the East-West Connector project here.

PROJECT STRATEGY

Below is the map that depicts general treatment areas identified as priorities to protect the life safety of the public and responders. An interactive version is available on our CWPP page.

Note: The treatment areas shown are approximate and intended for planning purposes only. They represent potential project locations and should not be interpreted as final project boundaries or comprehensive treatment areas.

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PLANNED PROJECTS

Sahalee

The Sahalee Shaded Fuel Break project area lies west of Service High School and extends north from private property boundaries to adjacent BLM lands. A 200' wide shaded fuel break created by a combination of mastication equipment and hand crews will result in a treatment of approximately 15.8 acres. This project will directly protect an estimated $250 million in property and benefit approximately 930 residents, while improving firefighter access and tactical effectiveness during a wildfire incident. Implementation is scheduled for 2026, with an estimated duration of 6 months, occurring entirely on public lands with no impact to private property.

Resolutions of Support & Engagement

A resolution of support has been obtained by MOA Parks & Recreation and verbal support has been provided by the Bureau of Land Management and Alaska Department of Fish & Game.

A resolution of support has also been obtained by Abbott Community Council.

Funding was sourced by the Anchorage Hillside Home and Landowners Organization (HALO).

Project Status

This project is slated for summer/fall of 2026.

COMPLETED PROJECTS

Heights Hill

The Heights Hill hazard fuel mitigation project resulted in a 100' wide clear cut fuel break on public lands along the west side of Heights Hill Road, from Clarks Road to Jamie Avenue. The total estimated treatment area is 4.6 acres and was complete during winter of 2025. It protects more than $158 million in property and several critcal egress routes.

Resolutions of Support & Engagement

The Hillside Home and Landowners Organization secured funding for hazard mitigation projects in the Hillside area and supported this project with those funds. Alaska Department of Fish and Game was in support.

Resolutions of support were obtained from the landowners, Heritage Land Bank, as well as the land managers, Muni Parks & Recreation.

The Wildfire Division is scheduled to meet with Bear Valley Community Council on September 10th to discuss the project.

Campbell Airstrip Road

The Campbell Airstrip Road Shaded Fuel Break Project aims to reduce wildfire risk and enhance public safety along a 3.1-mile stretch from Fire Station 14 to the Basher Drive Trailhead. Campbell Airstrip Road serves as a single access route for firefighters and a critical egress route for the public, making hazardous fuel reduction essential for safe evacuation during a wildfire. The project will create a 300-foot-wide shaded fuel break by removing dead and downed trees, thinning spruce and hardwood stands and reducing ladder fuels. Special care will be taken in sensitive areas to minimize environmental impact. All debris will be mulched or chipped on-site, with usable firewood made available for public collection.

The Anchorage Fire Department Wildfire Division is committed to proactive wildfire mitigation efforts that enhance public safety while promoting a healthy and resilient forest landscape.

Resolutions of Support & Engagement

Ahead of this project, the wildfire division engaged the community by providing information and soliciting feedback about the project. Resolutions of support were obtained from the Basher Community Council and MOA Parks & Recreation.

Additional Collaboration:

Heritage Land Bank (land owner/manager of some affected parcels)
Federation of Community Councils

This project was discussed at more than 50 community council meetings & other community events. Area councils such as Scenic Foothills, University Area and Campbell Park requested and received presentations specific to this project

Far North Bicentennial Trail User Group
Bureau of Land Management at Campbell Tract
MOA Planning Department
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
State of Alaska Division of Forestry
Alaska Botanical Garden
Local contractors capable of performing the work

Project Status

The project began on May 19th and is now complete. Thank you to all of the cooperators and community members who made this project a success.

East-West Connector

The East-West Connector Shaded Fuel Break Project reduced wildfire risk and enhanced public safety along a corridor extending from Hilltop Ski Area Road to the Prospect Heights Trailhead. The project was completed through a collaboration between the State of Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection and the Anchorage Fire Department, with the Division of Forestry's Type 2 IA Handcrew, Gannet Glacier, performing the work.

The project created a 200-foot-wide shaded fuel break that reduced the most fire-prone fuels while strategically retaining tree and shrub species that are less susceptible to wildfire. The result is a natural-looking environment that maintains the character of the Hillside area while improving wildfire resilience. The fuel break was set back approximately 50 feet from private property boundaries.

During implementation, Gannet Glacier crews camped at the project site, and visitors to the area may have observed additional vehicles, equipment, and trail closures. Queen Bee and Janices Jive trails were temporarily closed to protect the public from the hazards associated with fuels mitigation activities.

Special care was taken in environmentally sensitive areas to minimize impacts to trails and surrounding lands while preserving the scenic qualities valued by trail users. The project also enhanced habitat values by retaining a diverse mix of tree and shrub species. Vegetative debris generated during the project was managed through mulching and, where appropriate, the burning of debris piles by wildland firefighters.

Project Status

The project was officially complete on May 30th. Thank you for partnering with us, DFFP! Learn more about the project on akfireinfo.com and watch the videos below to learn more about what we accomplished with this fuel break and the impact it will have.