At approx. 941am, 11 units from the Anchorage Fire Department responded to the report from a homeowner that their house was on fire at 8141 Sandy Circle. The first unit arrived on location at 949 and advised that the garage was on fire. The fire was placed under control at 1030, but crews remained on location throughout the morning and afternoon doing cleanup. The fire was caused by combustibles too close to a heat source. Estimated damage is $250,000. Three people were displaced  

For Immediate Release
April 24, 2009
Contact Jennifer Collins 317-9929

The Anchorage Fire Department would like to remind you that break-up is upon us and ice is very thin on bodies of water. Please keep off area lakes and rivers. Even when there appears to be a thick layer of ice, many ponds and lakes only have a very thin layer of ice that can easily break, giving way to several feet of cold water. When recreating, stay on trails and away from the water’s edge.

It may be necessary to restrain your dogs to prevent them from running out onto partially frozen lakes. Dogs that fall though the ice are often unable to lift themselves out of the water. AFD has received reports of dogs falling through the ice at University Lake resulting in their owners putting themselves in danger to rescue them. Many area off-leash dog parks have lakes or ponds, so please be careful when using these areas.

Just after 9 pm, Anchorage Fire Department responded to reports of black smoke coming from the second story windows of a home on Chad st, near the intersection of Raspberry and Minnesota.  Firefighters made a fast attack and their initial search confirmed that all occupants were out of the structure.  One firefighter suffered minor injuries fighting the blaze that caused extensive damage to the home.  The cause is still under investigation. 

For Immediate Release
Contact: Jennifer Collins 317-9929
April 20, 2009

Media Advisory: Spring Burning Guidelines
Residential brush disposal options include area wood lots

The Anchorage Fire Department received multiple calls over the weekend reporting illegal burns. AFD reminds residents that burning requires a permit and is only allowed on approved burn days. Residents living in any part of the Municipality of Anchorage can request a spruce beetle burn permit which allows for burning spruce trees and limbs. These burn permits, valid for 90 days, are available on-line at www.muni.org/fire.

From April 1 through May 31, residents living outside of the Anchorage Bowl are allowed to burn trees and brush of all species, not just spruce. These permitted fires are only allowed in Eagle River, Chugiak, Birchwood, Peters Creek, and Eklutna and along the Turnagain Arm in Rainbow, Bird, Indian, Girdwood, and Portage. Residents burning in these areas still need to have a permit and follow the safe burning guidelines. Use the spruce beetle permit form on the burn permit web page.

There are several options for disposing of brush and leaves other than burning. Check out these options for disposal of woody debris, grass, or leaves.

2009 Citywide Cleanup: May 2, May 3 and May 9.  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.

Wood Lots: The Anchorage Fire Department Wildfire Mitigation Office will again sponsor free residential wood lots for the disposal of woody debris in Eagle River and Girdwood. Visit www.muni.org/fire1/woodlots.cfm for updates and guidelines.

The Eagle River wood lot, (located at Regional Landfill on Hiland Road) opens Saturday, May 16. It will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 8 am – 5 pm throughout the summer.

The Girdwood wood lot, located at the Industrial Park on Ruane Road, opens Saturday, May 2. It will be open throughout the summer on Saturdays, 9 am – 6 pm.

The Anchorage wood lot is administered by the Anchorage Soil and Water Conservation District. Visit www.aswcd.org/woodlot for more information.

Wildfires Happen . . . Be Ready.

At approximately 9:30 PM, 12 Anchorage Fire Department units responded to a report of smoke coming from the roof of a duplex in the vicinty of Vance Drive and 43rd.  Engine 14 was the first unit on scene and initiated a fast attack.  Upon entering the structure the crews discovered fire in the walls and overhead and a working fire was declared.  The fire was rendered under control in approximately 15 minutes and damages were estimated at $70,000.  Both units were unoccupied and the cause of the fire was most likely recent remodeling.

The Anchorage Fire Department Communications Center received several calls just before 4:30 am reporting flames coming from the second story of a duplex in the 6600 block of Whispering Loop in Muldoon.  The first unit arrived on location four minutes after the initial dispatch and reported heavy smoke and fire.  Smoke detectors alerted the family, including small children and they were able to escape with no injuries.  A fast attack was initiated, along with a primary search to ensure all occupants had evacuated.  Firefighters brought the blaze under control quickly, with no extension to the neighboring unit.  The fire has been attributed to a barbecue grill on the shared balcony of the duplex--the  affected unit suffered extensive damage to the upper level, with the neighboring unit sustaining minor smoke damage after the sliding glass door was shattered by the heat of the fire.  Red Cross is assisting the family with shelter and basic needs. 

Fire Destroys Mobile Home

Anchorage Firefighters responded to a double wide mobile home fire early Monday evening at 5600 Lake Otis Pkwy, in the Manoog’s Isle Trailer Park.  AFD Dispatchers received multiple 911 calls just prior to 8:30 p.m. reporting fire and smoke showing from the home.  Ten fire apparatus were dispatched to the fire.

Several fire companies arrived quickly as they were returning from an earlier call for service in the area.  The first engine company reported the home to be 50% involved and was then informed by on-lookers there was possibly someone still inside the home.  Firefighters quickly changed their strategies to initiate search procedures for fire victims as three additional fire apparatus were dispatched.  As one fire company began the search additional fire companies began fighting the blaze and ventilating the structure.  Within a very short time it was verified there was only one occupant home when the blaze began and they had escaped prior to firefighters arriving.  The fire was brought under control within 15 minutes.

Fire officials determined the blaze began in the kitchen, and was likely a result of unattended cooking.  The only resident in the home was sleeping when the fire began and was awakened by the heavy smoke.  The occupant suffered minor burns while escaping the home, smoke inhalation and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.  Another person, a neighbor, was also treated on scene and later transported to an area hospital for smoke inhalation. 

Fire damage to the mobile home was extensive and the structure is considered as a total loss valued at $80K or more.  Red Cross officials were summoned to provide housing and related assistance for two residents of the home.  Chugach Electric Association and Enstar Natural Gas officials also responded to the trailer park as firefighters had temporarily disconnected utilities to several other homes.  Animal Control Officers responded to remove the canine remains.  One firefighter sustained a minor injury during overhaul operations and returned to duty after being treated and released by hospital physicians.

This is the second fire over the past few days which caused either extensive damage or destroyed a home, both attributed to unattended cooking.  Fire Department officials encourage residents to not leave any type of foods cooking on stove tops unattended, have a properly rated fire extinguisher immediately available in kitchen areas and most importantly are having working smoke detectors in the home.

Kitchen Fire Damages Apartment

Anchorage Fire Department Dispatchers answered a 911 call at 03:33 a.m. this morning from a resident at 13046 Brandon St. reporting a fire in their kitchen.  One of the occupants was reportedly attempting to extinguish the fire, and given the possibility they were still in the structure additional units were assigned to the call.  In all, fifteen emergency units were dispatched to the call less than one minute after the call was received.

The fire company from the Huffman Station arrived within a few minutes after the dispatch and reported smoke showing from an 8-plex apartment building.  A fast attack was initiated and a Working Fire was called.  As additional units arrived to assist with fire ground activities it was verified all occupants had safely escaped the fire.  The blaze was brought under control within 30 minutes.

The fire was contained to the unit of origin and caused approximately $50K in damage.  An investigation by fire officials determined the blaze was a result of unattended cooking.  Red Cross officials responded to provide housing for two displaced occupants.  There were no fire ground injuries or pet casualties.  Occupants from the undamaged units were allowed to return to their homes once Enstar and Chugach re-established the utility services.