West Lakes Fire Department

06/01/2026

BURN PERMIT SUSPENSION:
The Mat-Su area will be entering a burn permit suspension beginning 0800 today, Monday, June 1st. Burn permits have been suspended due to hot, dry, windy conditions and increased fire activity throughout the Mat-Su area. This suspension includes all burn permits, burn barrels, lawn burns and debris piles. Burn permit suspensions do not apply to 3ft in diameter cooking, warming, camping or signaling fires. This suspension will remain in effect until conditions improve. The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection asks that you be careful with any open flames, have water on scene, and do not leave your fire unattended. Thank you and please be safe.

06/01/2026

Red Flag Warning for lower Mat-Su Valley on Monday. Please be aware and fire wise.

05/27/2026

🎒 Be ready before an evacuation order is issued. An evacuation go bag can help you leave quickly and safely when every minute counts.

Use the 5 P’s of Evacuation to help pack your bag:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 People
💊 Prescriptions
📄 Papers
👔 Personal Needs
💍 Priceless Items

Prepare now so you’re ready to go when it matters most. Learn more about wildfire preparedness and evacuation planning at https://forestry.alaska.gov/fire/rsg

05/27/2026

West Lakes firefighters trained on vehicle extrication last night. The mastery of these skills dramatically reduces rescue times, prevents secondary injuries to trapped victims and minimizes hazards to the crew. Thank you Chief Gibbs for the excellent instruction.

05/26/2026

Have you seen the sign? Miller’s Reach 30th Anniversary Commemoration & Safety Fair is June 6th, 11 AM - 3 PM at the Big Lake Lion’s Rec Center. There will be free food, family fun, entertainment, and information about how to make your home harder to burn. We would love to meet you there.
In June 1996, during the Miller’sReach Wildfire 344 structures and 37,000 acres burned. 450 people were displaced during the wildfire.
After the fire the Horseshoe Lake community organized and became the first Firewise community in Alaska.

05/14/2026

This Tuesday, West Lakes firefighters had the opportunity to learn about medevac operations and landing zones from the pros! Thanks to the crew from LifeMed Alaska for spending the evening with us and helping to improve our knowledge!

05/11/2026

This year is the 30th anniversary of the Miller's Reach Fire. Nearly 37,000 acres burned, and 344 structures were lost. The McKinley Fire in 2019 was less destructive however nearly 3,300 acres were burned with 52 primary structures, 3 non-residential commercial, and 84 secondary structures destroyed. Watch and listen to interviews with homeowners and lessons learned from Kris Baumgartner, Pioneer Peak IHC Superintendent, to see if there are things you can do to make your home harder to burn.

The McKinley Fire started near Milepost 91 of the Parks Highway on Aug. 17, 2019. The Alaska Type 2 Interagency Incident Management Team assumed management o...

05/08/2026

Reduce Your Wildfire Risk This Weekend.
Make your property safer by clearing brush and removing excess woody debris. Bring it to Station 73 this Saturday, May 9, for free chipping.
This no‑cost woody debris and brush chipping event is provided by West Lakes Fire Department, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry & Fire Protection - DFFP, and Horseshoe Lake Firewise.
Taking a little time now to clear defensible space can make a big difference during wildfire season.
✅Move any flammable material away from home exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn. Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.
✅Clear vegetation from under large stationary propane or heating fuel tanks.
✅Remove ladder fuels (vegetation under trees) so a surface fire cannot reach the crowns.
✅Prune trees up to six to ten feet from the ground; for shorter trees do not exceed 1/3 of the overall tree height.
For more Firewise information visit: NFPA’s Wildfire and Firewise USA Programs
*Free Chips will be available after 4:00 PM. Chips are great for landscape mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. They are excellent for creating garden pathways, covering muddy areas, and starting compost. They can also be used in chicken runs or for animal bedding.