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.

Fires like the Tracy Avenue Fire in 2005 and the Caribou Hills Fire in 2007 showed the volatile nature of wildfire on the Kenai Peninsula.

The Caribou Hills Fire resulted in the loss of more than 100 homes and outbuildings, despite being the No. 1 priority fire in the nation for several days.

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

• Free Home Education visits; Sign up by calling Division of Forestry at 907-260-4200

• FireWise Slash Pickup Project, 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. Completed CWPP’s and Plan areas may be viewed at the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Spruce Bark Beetle website, www.borough.kenai.ak.us/sbb.

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.