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Firewise & Wildfire Assistance Programs

On this page, you will find information about Firewise, Wood Lots, Sprinkler Kits​, and the 2026 C​urbside Chipping Program

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Sprinkler Kits

The Wildfire Division was awarded grant funding to purchase and distribute more than 2,000 wildfire sprinkler kits to eligible residents who live in Community Wildfire Protection Plan Suppression Planning Units rated as having extreme, very high, or high wildfire hazard rating (click he​re​ to view the map) and are registered with Smart911.  


The first public pickup event is Friday, August 7 from 3pm-7pm at the AFD Training Center, 1140 Airport Heights Drive. Please drive with caution​ for your safety and the safety of our firefighters. Limit 1 per property. Delivery is not available.​


​Request a Kit: If you are unable to attend Friday's pickup event, you may submit a request for a sprinkler kit by clicking ​here. If kits remain available after Friday's distribution, we will notify you via email of the next scheduled pickup opportunity. 

Sprinkler kits are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Submitting ​a request does not guarantee availability; it simply ensures you will be notified if additional pickup opportunities are offered. 


Sprinkler Kit Guide: Want to build your own sprinkler kit or expand one you received from us? The components are available at many home improvement stores. Check out our Sprinkler Kit Guide​ for recommended components and step-by-step instructions for assembling and deploying your kit.


How Sprinkler Kits Help.png 

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2026 Curbside Chipping Program
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Later this summer, free curbside chipping will be offered. This is a one year only grant-funded program. 

Per grant guidelines, resi​dents are eligible if they both

1. Reside in Community Wildfire Protection Plan Suppression Planning Units rated as extreme, very high, or high wildfire hazard

2. Participate in the Firewise program in one of the following ways:
  • Have a Firewise assessment on file with AFD that is less than 5 years old,
  • Submit a self-assessment, or
  • Register for a Firewise assessment this year.

Final program details remain subject to change, based on grant requirements and contractor capabilities. 
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Residents will place woody debris in piles approximately 10 ft x 10 ft x 4 ft in size at the end of their driveway, accessible from the roadway, and a contractor will chip and haul away the material. 

More information will be posted on this website and AFD Social Media. A sign up form will also be linked to this page.​


​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Wood Lots

Wood lots are open for the 2026 season, now through October 31st. The AFD Wildfire Division and Solid Waste Services partner together to provide this service. For days and hours of operation as well as further information on what is accepted, please visit the Solid Waste Services webpage.



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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Firewise & Defensible Space​​​​​​​​​

​Creating defensible space is the most impactful way that residents can improve ways residents can improve personal and community wildfire resilience. These efforts also create a safer, more defensible environment for firefighters to operate in during a wildfire. 

​Remember: Progress starts with action. Tackle what you can and don't be afraid to team up with friends and neighbors for the bigger jobs. Every item you check off you list is a win for your home and our community. Start small. Keep going. It all counts. ​​

Wildfire risk can be more challenging to address when hazardous vegetation exists on adjacent properties under separate ownership. Even so, individual efforts still matter. Reducing fuels around your home lowers the likelihood of structure ignition and contributes to overall neighborhood resilience.

1. Firewise Get Started.png​

​​​Ways to Participate

1. Perform and ​document a Self-Assessment

2. Request a free 1:1 property assessment

​For residents living in neighborhoods exposed to wildfires, the Anchorage Fire Department, Girdwood Fire & Rescue Department, and Chugiak Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department provide free on site visits that offer personalized recommendations for vegetation management and Firewise home maintenance. Our primary goal is to educate residents ​on ways to reduce the likelihood of home ignition during a wildfire. Available resources are prioritized for on properties in the Wildland Urban Interface and properties adjacent to larger forested lands. 

Municipal Fire Departments do not have enforcement authority related to these assessments. information collected is used solely to support wildfire resilience efforts. Access to this information is limited to fire suppression personnel and is not shared with outside parties. ​

3. Tell us your property is Firewise

Why tell us your property is Firewise? 

Like many agencies, we map fire adapted homes to improve internal situational awareness and strengthen wildfire resilience efforts. Only fire suppression personnel have access to this data -- it is not​ shared with any outside parties.
By telling us your property is Firewise, you are helping us:

  • ​Track program participation and effectiveness
  • Identify where future outreach and support may be needed 
  • Improve situational awareness for wildfire suppression personnel
  • Better understand wildfire preparedness trends across the community

1. Firewise Get Started.png​

Program Objectives​​​

  • Reduce life and property losses from  wildland urban interface fires by encouraging treatment of privately owned forested areas. 
  • Educate residents on NFPA Firewise principles that help reduce the risk of home ignition during a wildfire. 
  • Provide information about safe burning practices, emergency preparedness, and forest stewardship.
  • Improve community wildfire resilience and strengthen situational awareness for wildfire suppression personnel​.


Learn More​

 



View the Firewise Alaska Brochure


Firewise Alaska Cover Linking to Full Document

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