Fire season is here. Be prepared to protect yourself and your family. 

Fire season is the time of year when wildfire events are most likely to occur. In Alaska, that time period is typically from early June to late August, when the snow has melted and warmer temperatures, less precipitation, long daylight hours, and a higher sun angle quickly dry the environment.  

Combined with natural events (like summer thunderstorm lightning) and human events (like people spending more time outdoors camping with unattended fires, using motorized equipment that sparks or malfunctions, and burning debris), and the perfect conditions are created for a devastating wildfire.  

By taking proactive measures and preparing ahead of time, we can minimize the risks and protect ourselves, our families, and our communities from the impact of wildfires. 

Here are three stages of wildfire preparedness to be aware of:  

1) Before a Wildfire: Prepare

Focus on actions you can take before smoke or fire impacts your community. 

• Create a family emergency plan. Here’s how.

• Prepare a go-kit with medications, important documents, food, water, and pet supplies. Here’s how.

• Clear the space between your home and surrounding flammable plants or brush.  

• Review plans with Elders, children, and individuals with access and functional needs. 

• Know evacuation routes and alternate routes.  

• Stay informed. Monitor local news outlets. You can look up the daily fire danger for Anchorage on the Municipality of Anchorage’s website here.
  

Sign up for Emergency Alerts. 

• In Anchorage, you can sign up for localized emergency alerts by texting “Anchorage” to 67283 to register with the Municipality of Anchorage. You can also complete your registration online via the Smart911 portal to customize your notifications. 

• Outside of Anchorage, register for local Emergency Management alerts (official notifications sent to the public to warn of any immediate dangers or crises). For wildfires specifically, register for the new State DFFP Smart911 alerts at Smart911.com here.
  • You’ll receive critical updates during wildland fires, severe weather, evacuations outside of Boroughs/Municipalities, and other emergencies. 

• Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): These are automatic, location-based text alerts sent by authorized agencies (like the National Weather Service) directly to your mobile carrier, requiring no sign-up. 
  • iPhone: Go to Settings > Notifications, scroll to the bottom, and toggle on Emergency Alerts and Always Play Sound. 
  • Android: Go to Settings > Notifications > Advanced setting > Wireless Emergency Alerts to control your settings.  

• FEMA App: Download the FEMA mobile application to receive preparedness tips and real-time weather alerts for multiple customizable locations 
  

2) During Wildfire Smoke Events: Protect Your Health

Many Alaska communities are affected by smoke long before flames are a direct threat.  

What can you do during a wildfire smoke event to reduce your family’s exposure to smoke indoors? 

• Pay special attention to how children, Elders, pregnant people, and those with heart or lung conditions are feeling during smoke events and keep them inside when possible.  

• Limit outdoor activity when air quality is poor and avoid strenuous activity during smoky times to reduce how much smoke you inhale. 

• Keep indoor air as clean as possible by closing windows and doors when appropriate. 
  
• Avoid activities that create more fine particles indoors, including: 
  • Smoking and vaping. 
  • Using gas, propane or wood-burning stoves and furnaces. 
  • Spraying aerosol products. 
  • Frying or broiling food. 
  • Burning candles or incense. 
  • Vacuuming, unless you use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. 

• Consider purchasing a portable air cleaner, high-efficiency HVAC Filter, or N95 respirator masks 

• When the air quality improves, even temporarily, air out your home by opening windows or the fresh air intake on your HVAC system and run the exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms. 

• Monitor local air quality reports. You can find air quality information and links here.  

• Monitor local news outlets and follow any evacuation instructions. 
  • Visit the interactive Statewide Wildfire Evacuation Map and find the evacuation status of your area. 

Find more information on how to stay healthy on the EPA’s website here.

3) If Evacuation Becomes Necessary: Go Early 

Do not wait too long to leave. 

• Follow local evacuation orders immediately.  

• Leave early if conditions deteriorate.  

• Bring your emergency kit, medications, and important documents.  

• Account for pets and service animals.  

• Stay informed through official sources. 

• AKFireinfo.com is the Statewide fire information website. Here you’ll find links to all official fire sources in Alaska.
  • The Statewide phone number is (907) 356-5511 and can be called to answer questions about fires in your jurisdiction. 

• You can also follow the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection on social media at https://www.facebook.com/AK.Forestry/, along with BLM AFS at https://www.facebook.com/BLMAFS.