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, high, or high wildfire hazard rating and are registered with Smart911. Funding for this program is for one year only. 

We encourage residents to visit us at one of our many summer events to learn about wildfire resilience, ask questions, and sign up for a free sprinkler kit. If you are unable to attend an event, you may also register online.

When kits are available for pickup, eligible participants will be notified by email.

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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.

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​​​Ways to Participate

1. Perform and ​document a Self-Assessment

• ​​​Download a free self-assessment checklist by clicking here.​ 
  
• Once you complete your checklist, use our form to document your findings and mitigation efforts.

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

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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

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