On the Kenai Peninsula, wildfire risks have increased in recent years because of forest conditions and ever-expanding development.

While Firefighters work hard to control fires, homeowners can make simple changes with landscaping, building material choices and improved access that will go far.

An effort was started in 2006 to develop Community FireWise Plans, and work continues to educate the communities of the Kenai Peninsula about how they can be Firewise.

Large fires in 2009 on the Kenai Peninsula shook property owners in Homer and Funny River.

Mile 17 East End Road Fire
Fire started: Homer, May 17, 2009
Cause:  downed electric line
Location:  Mile 17 East End Road
Fire suppression agencies:  including Alaska Division of Forestry, various hot shot crews, CES, Kachemak Emergency Services (KES), fire departments from Homer, Anchor Point, Nikiski, Mat-Su, Chugiak, Anchorage and others
Size:  1600 acres
Estimated cost-to-date:  $1.7 million

Homeowners who prepared defensible space saw the results firsthand when they found their homes still standing.

Shanta Creek Fire
Fire started:  Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, June 30, 2009
Cause:  Lightning
Location:  5 miles south east of Soldotna
Fire suppression agencies: including Alaska Division of Forestry, fire departments Anchorage, Chugiak, CES, Mat-Su Borough, KES, Anchor Point, Ninilchik, various hot shot crews
Size: 13,221 acres
Estimated cost:  $4.62 million

After the Shanta Creek Fire, the Funny River Community completed its Community Wildfire Protection Plan. You may view the plan for your community at the Kenai Peninsula Borough's web site.

• View the new Rural Alaska Fire Prevention Video by clicking here!

• View the new Fire Prevention Video by clicking here!

• Free Home Wildfire Risk Assessments. Sign up by calling (907) 260-4260 or
sharon.roesch@alaska.gov

• FireWise Slash Pickup Project <<click here for more info>>, areas include K-Beach/Kasilof/Cohoe/Clam Gulch; Ninilchik/Ninilchik Forties; Anchor Point/Happy Valley/Nikolaevsk; Homer/Kachemak; and Diamond Ridge/Fritz Creek/Fox River.

Welcome to the Kenai Peninsula FireWise information site. We have created this space as a local resource to help you find the people; make the connections; and gather the resources you will need to build a better and safer FireWise community.
Teams will support and assist individual homeowners in understanding and applying the Firewise principals applicable to their home, in order to reduce the risks of wildland fire and structural ignitability.
Let’s work together to bring FireWise to all Seasons and all communities of the Kenai Peninsula.