Homer News
Story last updated at 9:13 PM on Thursday, July 3, 2008

Helping residents be 'fire wise' is what program all about

By McKibben Jackinsky
Staff writer

More than 220 wildland fires have struck Alaska this year, burning 6,620 acres, according to information provided by the Alaska Division of Forestry.

Last year, the Caribou Hills Fire burned more than 50,000 acres after a spark from a grinder ignited dried grass and spread to spruce bark-beetle killed trees.

This year, the Homestead Fire torched more than 175 acres in the Happy Valley area. Its cause is still undetermined, according to Sharon Roesch with the Division of Forestry in Soldotna.

To reduce the threat of wildland fires, FireWise Kenai Peninsula is helping businesses, communities and home- owners become knowledgeable about wildland fuels and fire risk factors. To date, more than 260 individuals have asked for home visits from FireWise team members who can identify how to minimize the risks. The program continues through August and is funded by a U.S. Forest Service grant.

Creating defensible space involves a doable, step-by-step approach, according to FireWise Program Leader Judy Reese of Anchor Point.

"People can do a little bit at a time over weeks, months, years," Reese said. "All family members can participate. There's raking, a little construction modification, putting gravel in strategic places, gardening. In general, caring for your property."

Snowmachines, fuel containers and wood piles must be kept at a distance from a home; tree branches need to be trimmed; accumulations of flammable debris should be emptied from gutters; dead grass and dry leaves need to be raked away from homes and structures; distribute gravel in appropriate places, such as around fuel tanks; cultivate fire-resistant landscaping.

"It's the embers that can take your home," Reese said of all it takes to start a fire. "The little things you do on your property year round make a different."

The cost to homeowners to remove trees that pose a threat can be reimbursed through a state cost-sharing grant for up to $2,500. A survey by FireWise team members will identify the trees needing to be removed and calculate the reimbursable amount. Homeowners have 12 months to complete the work.

"We'll visit any time of day. It's all about preventing home ignition," Reese said. With the program wrapping up in August, she encouraged homeowners to call soon.

"We'll try and evaluate how many sign-ups we have and see if it's possible to carry folks over to next year if we can't get to them," Reese said. "Even if people are interested in doing it (removing trees) in the future, call so we can help keep the program invigorated."

FireWise encourages individuals, neighborhoods and communities to develop escape plans, prepare emergency kits and identify what to take in case of evacuation. Peninsula communities also have created wildfire protection plans, which can be viewed at the Kenai Peninsula Borough's spruce bark beetle Web site, www.borough.kenai.ak.us/sbb/.

Street signs are another way residents can prepare in advance of a fire. Signs help firefighters locate where homes and people may be in danger. The borough and Homer Volunteer Fire Department Member Association offer signs at $20 per sign.

The FireWise team on the southern peninsula includes Unit Leader Meg Cicciarella of Homer, outreach coordinator Carey James of Homer and members Jim Dress and Kim Alexander, both of Anchor Point.

Roesch praised the work being done by FireWise, as well as the public's reaction to the program.

"We're getting a great response from the public," Roesch said. "We're finding out residents have a lot of questions and are really appreciative of the help and advice they're getting from the FireWise team."

For Reese, taking steps to reduce the threat of wildland fire is simple.

"It's what people like to do for the most part tidying up their place, making it look nice," she said. "It's about being personally responsible and personally proud that you care enough about your home and family."

For more information about FireWise or to sign up for a home visit, visit the Web at www.firewisekp.com.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.