Forsythe Park Wildfire Mitigation Project

Contact Sue Barkwood 267-4902, 317-7236

04.26.07

To mitigate the risk and hazard of wildfire in the neighborhood, the Anchorage Fire Department has partnered with the MOA Parks & Recreation Department and the Anchorage School District for a wildfire mitigation project in Forsythe Park. The park is located on the east side of Birch Road, just south of O’Malley Road. This project is expected to begin Monday, April 30, 2007.

This Anchorage Hillside park has lost many spruce trees to the spruce bark beetle. In an effort to keep a forest fire from spreading into the surrounding neighborhood and to support the growth and vigor of live trees, the forest treatment project will carefully remove dead trees and limb live trees. A 50-foot buffer will be left around the stream.

Improving forest health in this park may be accomplished by pruning the live, residual trees to stave off a future bark beetle attack. Removing the large fuels from the forest will allow more light to encourage regeneration of spruce and birch seedlings.

The perimeter of the park consists mostly of white and black spruce with some hardwoods. The interior is dense black spruce. Removal of dead trees and a moderate thinning combined with pruning the residual healthy trees will serve to reduce overall fire behavior in the park and in areas adjacent to the homes and roadway.

Tree limbs will be burned on site by professional firefighters and smoke will be present. Burning is delayed until after school is excused for the summer on May 23^rd. Burn piles are connected to a charged water source and are fully extinguished at the end of each day. Burn piles will be seeded with native grass to limit the spread of invasive plants and to re-vegetate the site.

Wildfires Happen . . . Be Ready!
 www.muni.org/fire

Fire Damages South Anchorage Duplex

The Anchorage Fire Department Communications Center received several calls of fire coming from the 1st floor of a 2-story duplex in the 10000 block of Thimble Berry around 12:20 AM Saturday morning.  Thirteen units responded.  The first unit arrived on location approximately seven minutes after the initial call, called a working fire and gave direction to other responding apparatus to lay a supply line and to secure the utilities upon their arrival.  This fire was fought using an offensive attack method.  The fire was mostly contained to the first floor and once the primary and secondary search was complete, an all clear was reported and the fire was called under control.  The cause of the fire and the amount of damage is still under investigation.

Early Morning Fire

4-26-2007

Contact Tom Kempton 317-7233

Anchorage firefighters responded at 2:53 AM this morning to reports of smoke coming from a 4 plex at 3905 E 4th Ave, in Anchorage.

First arriving units called a "working fire" and set up to make entry after the Anchorage Polce Officers on location reported that the structure had been evacuated. Engine company officers reported finding a gas can and what appeared to be an intentionally set fire in a closet in the ground floor unit. The small fire was quickly extinguished and the smoke cleared from the other units.

Fire officers interviewed several people at the scene that reported that squatters in a downstairs apartment had been having a party and that an intoxicated male had gotten angry and had set the fire. 

Anchorage Police Officers are investigating the incident.

Fire damage was contained to the one room of origin and is estimated at $25,000.

In the Anchorage area several homes have been built with residential sprinkler systems.  Developer Connie Yoshimura is building a new development above Potter Marsh that will have fire sprinkler systems installed during construction.

New sytems use flexible piping systems and are built as part of the domestic water system in the home.  This is the same type of piping that is used for radiant floor or in-slab heating sytems. The additional cost can run as low as $.50 cents a square foot.

Contact Tom Kempton 317-7233 for local residential sprinkler information.

International Residential Code Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Contact
Jeffrey M. Shapiro, PE, FSFPE
Austin, TX
512/795-2900
jshapiro@ircfiresprinkler.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Web Cast to Answer Questions about Residential Sprinkler Systems
Program Aims to Inform Code Officials and Others about Important Safety Feature for Homes

AUSTIN, Texas – In the past 30 years, more than 100,000 Americans have lost their lives in residential fires. Although smoke alarms have significantly improved home fire safety in recent years, fire safety experts are actively promoting the combination of residential sprinkler systems and smoke alarms as the basic fire protection package for all new homes. Although there are over 100,000 homes in the U.S. equipped with residential sprinkler systems today, the proposed “mainstreaming” of fire sprinklers as a standard feature in new home construction has caused many who are unfamiliar with this life-saving technology to want to learn more.

In response, the International Residential Code (IRC) Fire Sprinkler Coalition today announced plans to host a free educational Web cast regarding the benefits of installing home fire sprinklers in new homes and townhouses. The program will broadcast on May 3, 2007, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

“This Web cast will serve as a tremendous educational tool for anyone who wants to learn the facts about residential sprinklers,” said retired California State Fire Marshal and IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition spokesman Ron Coleman, who will host the program. “The fact is, sprinklers are a simple, cost-effective way to protect your family, your home and your possessions – and the Web cast will demonstrate this by answering many questions on people’s minds about the topic. We welcome all interested individuals to sign up and participate.”

The program will feature information about how residential sprinkler systems work, including special topics such as installation costs; designing systems to work with tanks, wells and small water meters; and installation of systems in freezing climates. Interviews with builders, building officials, homeowners, legislators, sprinkler contractors, plumbers and many leading safety advocates will be included in the presentation. In addition, narrated video showing burn demonstrations and several types of sprinkler system installations, including CPVC and PEX materials and dedicated versus multipurpose layouts, will be presented.

Interested participants can register to participate at http://www.twlk.com/fire/IRC_home.html. Posted at this site until May 3rd is a test video stream, American Heat: Fires that Caused Change. We invite you to view this exciting video on historic fires and their impact on codes and standards. The program examines some of the nation's most significant fires such as Cocoanut Grove, the MGM Hotel, the Beverly Hills Supper Club.

For those who are unable to participate in the initial Web cast, the program will be made available at a later date on DVD.

About IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition - The IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition’s mission is to promote the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems by educating the public on the value of residential sprinklers and supporting residential sprinkler legislation.

-end-

School Bus Struck by Pick-up Head-On

Anchorage Fire Department responded to a head-on collision between a pick-up truck and a school bus returning from a field trip late Saturday evening April 21, 2007.  The cause of the accident remains under investigation by Anchorage Police.

The first 911 calls were answered at 10:19 p.m. with multiple callers reporting a full size pick-up truck that was southbound on the Seward Highway and had crossed the median colliding head-on with a school bus.  The accident occurred approximately ¼ mile north of the Huffman interchange in the northbound lanes.  The force of the impact was so severe the front of the truck was compacted back into the passenger compartment, ejecting the driver. After the collision, the bus veered off the roadway into the ditch adjacent to Brayton Dr. and was tilting precariously on the embankment.  All bus passengers, except the driver, were able to exit the bus through emergency exits.

Ten units with the Anchorage Fire Department were initially dispatched to the scene and first arriving units from the Huffman Fire Station began to triage the scene determining the number of injuries.  Several rescue operations were undertaken immediately, the ejected patient, bracing to ensure the bus was stabilized while accessing and treating the driver, and triage of the bus passengers.  Three additional AFD units were dispatched to assist with the accident scene.  The driver of the pick-up was transported to a local area hospital but suffered injuries not sustainable with life.  The bus driver and three students were also transported to local hospitals.  Fire Department officials attribute the low number of injuries to the bus remaining upright.

The Laidlaw School Bus was carrying 20 Snowshoe Elementary School students, plus seven adult chaperones from the Palmer area, returning from a field trip to the Center of Alaska Coastal Studies located in Homer.

As news of the accident spread by calls made from accident victims to their loved ones, some family members traveled to the scene to take their children home.  Laidlaw dispatched another bus which arrived on scene just after 12:30 a.m. to transport the remaining children and chaperones home to Palmer.  

Northbound and southbound lanes of the Seward Highway were closed while APD conducted their investigation.  Traffic was rerouted onto Brayton Dr. and the Old Seward Highway.

Early Morning Peat Fire Causes Damage to Structure

The Anchorage Fire Department responded to an early-morning in Eagle River on First Street after receiving a call from the residence who was awoken by smoke in the structure and upon exiting the structure, noticed flames leaping up on the shake siding.  Twelve units were immediately dispatched around 5:30 AM.  The first unit arrived on locaiton six minutes later and brought the fire under control very quickly.

The cause of the fire was due to a cigarette being extinguished in the peat surrounding the structure which ignited and spread quickly to the shake siding.  Damages are estimated to be less than $10,000.

For further information, contact Assistant Chief Bridget Bushue. 

Eagle River House Fire

Shortly after 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 15, 2007 the Anchorage Fire Department Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a house fire in a sub-division just off Mile 5 of Eagle River Road.  The residence at 23619 Sunny Glenn Dr. had fire visible from the roof area.  Fourteen units from the Anchorage Fire Department were initially dispatched, and additional Water Tenders from Chugiak Volunteer Fire Department and from Elmendorf AFB Fire Department also responded.  The location of the residence is not covered by the city water system and the proximity of a water supply necessitated the additional units.  A Chugiak VFD engine company and an AFD Medic unit were moved to the Eagle River station for coverage during the fire.

Engine 11 from the Eagle River Fire Station was the first unit on location and called a Working Fire.  As crews entered the structure they discovered the fire was contained largely to the roof area, which then proved somewhat difficult to begin suppression efforts due to A-Frame roof style.  Crews working from the exterior and the interior brought the fire under control 50 minutes after it was reported.  Fire crews were able to spread salvage covers over contents in the structure minimizing water damage, and fire damage was mostly confined to the roof area.

It’s unknown if anyone was home at the time of the blaze, or if assistance was obtained from the Red Cross for temporary housing.  There was no fire ground injuries reported.  The cause of the fire is under investigation and a damage estimate is not yet available.

Anchorage Fire Department

04-12-2007

Contact Sue Barkwood 267-4902 or Jen Klugh 317-9929

Media Advisory:  Wildfire Season is approaching, residential brush disposal options

As the snow melts, wildfire season quickly approaches. Residents are encouraged to prepare now by making their homes Firewise. Tips are available through the Anchorage Fire Department website at www.muni.org/fire. Once the snow melts, the tall, dry grasses are the true fire carrier. These grasses dry out within a few hours after rain and can spread fire to our woodlands. Windy conditions also contribute to drying the grass and spreading fire.

Residents have several options for disposing of brush and leaves. If you have woody debris, grass, leaves or other organic yard waste, check out these options for disposal:

2007 Citywide Cleanup: April 28, 29 and May 5. 
There will be free residential disposal at all MOA Solid Waste Service disposal sites during designated dates and hours only. For information on dates, hours and guidelines visit www.muni.org/sws/index.cfm.

Wood Lots
The Anchorage Fire Department Wildfire Mitigation Office & the Anchorage Soil & Water Conservation District will again sponsor free residential wood lots for the disposal of woody debris. Visit www.muni.org/fire1/woodlots.cfm for updates and guidelines.

Anchorage Regional Composting Facility
Leaves, brush and stumps can be taken to the Anchorage Regional Composting Facility, located at 7985 West End Road. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call  243-8577 for details and prices. This facility also accepts woody material (logs, branches, etc.).

AFD Burn Permits

Residents living in any part of the Municipality of Anchorage can request a spruce beetle burn permit which allows them to burn spruce trees and limbs. These burn permits, valid for 90 days of burning on approved days, are now available on-line!  Go to www.muni.org/fire and select “Burn Permits,” or call the AFD Burn Hotline at 267-5020 between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Daily burn approval is contingent upon wind, air quality and wildfire danger concerns.  Because spring can be a dangerous time for wildfire, residents must be cautious while burning. It is important to carefully follow all of the guidelines on your burn permit. For this reason, no spring “open burn” will be permitted. All residents must obtain a burn permit or use an alternative method for brush disposal.

Firewise information is available at www.muni.org/fire, Municipal Cable Channel 10 and

www.afdfireinfo.com. Prepare your home now, wildfire season has already begun!

Wildfires Happen . . . Be Ready. 

Fire in Garage Attached to Home Daycare

Contact Tom Kempton 317-7233

4-11-2007

At 9:36 AM today numerous 911 callers reported a garage fully involved in flames attached to a home daycare.  Firefighters were on location from the Huffman Road Fire Station within 6 minutes and reported a garage fully involved with flames coming from inside.

Firefighters quickly made sure that all occupants were out of the structure and knocked the fire down preventing damage to the living area of the home located at 13115 Stephenson Street in South Anchorage.   The adults operating the daycare had evacuated the 7 children in the daycare to a neighbor’s house without any injuries.  This is reportedly a licensed daycare operation that meets all the fire and occupancy requirements.

Fire investigators believe that the fire originated in the garage between 2 freezers.  They are continuing to investigate the cause as an accidental fire from a mechanical cause.

Firefighters knocked the fire down very quickly preventing any smoke or flame damage to the interior of the home.  A monetary damage estimate is not available at this time. The homeowners insurance company will be working with Anchorage Fire Department Investigators to determine a definite cause.

Anchorage Fire Department

Press Release

4-11-2007

Contact Tom Kempton 267-4999

Ground Breaking for New Fire Station

Tudor and MacInnes

On Thursday, April 12^th at 1:00 PM Mayor Mark Begich will break ground for an extensive remodel of Fire Station 4 at 4350 MacInnes, corner of Tudor and MacInnes, between New Seward Highway and Lake Otis.

The original station was built in 1970 and was the main station for the Greater Anchorage Area Borough Fire Department and the fledgling Emergency Medical Service.

The station is in the fast growing and very busy University-Medical District and needs expansion to meet expected increases in response capabilities.  Funds for the construction come from a 2004 Bond for a new fire station in the area. The present site was too small for the designed size of the expansion.  With the help of Robin Ward and the Heritage Land Bank the trailer park next door was obtained to allow increased driveway space and room for a larger more modern facility.

Criterion General was selected as the contractor for the approx. 14,000 square foot, $ 3.8 Million dollar facility that will house a fire engine, rescue rig, ambulance, command vehicle and eventually a truck company.  Sleeping quarters for 13 firefighters and work areas for dive team equipment, medical supply and storage as well as living and exercise areas for the crews will be provided in the single story expansion.

Please join us at the ground breaking for this new facility at 1:00 pm April 12^th, Tudor and MacInnes.

Chimney Fire Damages South Anchorage Home

Shortly before midnight the Anchorage Fire Department Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a chimney fire in a single family home on Cange St, near Huffman Road.  Thirteen units were dispatched and within five minutes the first arriving Engine Company from the Huffman Fire Station reported light smoke showing.  Upon entry into the home it was discovered the fire in the chimney had breached the flu and began to burn the roof.  A working fire was called and due to a lack of hydrants in the area a water supply was established using responding Tenders (Water Tankers).  The fire was brought under control within twenty minutes.

A single occupant was home at the time of the fire and was able to safely leave the structure.  There were no fire ground injuries.  The Red Cross was not needed for the occupant(s).  The fire was contained to the roof area and the chimney chase with damage estimated at between twenty five to thirty thousand dollars.

Easter Morning Fire

Displaces 2 Adults and 2 Children

The Anchorage Fire Department Communications Center received a call Sunday morning around 8:44 AM advising of a fire somewhere in a single-wide mobile home trailer in the 5700 block of Fiji Street in Manoog's Isle Trailer Park.  Eleven units were immediately dispatched.  The first unit on location arrived six minutes after the initial call was received and advised there was heavy smoke showing.  The fire was mostly contained to the area located under the mobile home and behind the skirting however, there was some interior fire damage prior to the fire being brought  under control.  The Red Cross responded as 2 adults and 2 children, ages 4 and 13 mths, were displaced.  The cause of the fire and the extent of damage is still unknown at the time of this writing.

For additional information, contact Deputy Chief Tom Kempton.