For Immediate Release: June 30, 2009
Contact: Sue Rodman, Forester 317-7236

Summer Wildfire Mitigation Project in Campbell Creek Greenbelt 
Tree work in area adjacent to 2008 Piper Fire

To mitigate the risk and hazard of wildfire and to improve trail safety, the Anchorage Fire Department has partnered with the MOA Parks & Recreation Department for a Trail Watch project this spring along the Campbell Creek Trail between Piper Street and Elmore Road. Tree thinning and pruning along this trail is a continuation of efforts by these two groups started in 2003. This is also the site of the Piper Fire which burned 10 acres of forest on July 3, 2008.

There is substantial evidence of fire use throughout this area which could impact homes adjacent to Campbell Park. Dense trees and fallen limbs provide the fuel for these fires. By thinning black spruce trees and pruning the live residual trees, less wood is available to burn. Also, the increased visibility into the forest dissuades fire use.

Dense black spruce trees will be thinned into small clumps. Residual trees will be pruned, removing the lower branches near the ground. This treatment removes "fuel" for fires between trees and improves visibility through the forest near the trail for safety. Firefighters will treat both sides of the trail 25 – 50 feet into the forest, depending on forest type. Additionally, dead trees will be removed in the forested area north of the trail between Grumman and Piper. A buffer will be maintained between the parking lot of the Permit Center and the trail.

The project will begin on Tuesday, June 30 and is expected to last about two weeks. Thinning and pruning will be done by the State of Alaska Pioneer Peak Hotshots. These are professional firefighters working on fire mitigation projects in the Anchorage area since 2001. Chipping will be done by a private contractor Fuels Reduction of Alaska. Please watch for signs indicating that the crew and chipper are working. Give them plenty of space while using the trail.

Wildfires Happen . . . Be Ready.
http://www.muni.org/fire - http://www.muni.org/parks

Walking on the Cook Inlet Mud Flats
Residents are reminded of dangerous conditions and potentially deadly outcomes

The Anchorage Fire Department reminds residents that the mud flats in Cook Inlet are inherently dangerous and walking on them should be avoided. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, Anchorage’s 30-foot Cook Inlet tidal range is the second largest in the world. The combination of extreme tidal range and glacial silt in the mud make for dangerous and uncertain conditions due to the potential for getting trapped in the mud while being surrounded by rising water. During a recent rescue in the mud flats near Kincaid Park, two teenagers were stranded in the flats and the water level rose from below the knee to chest high in less than one hour. These teens were very fortunate that crews were able to access them before the water rose any higher. Due to the unstable conditions, a positive rescue outcome such as this one might not always occur.

Cook Inlet mud rescues require multiple local and state agency coordination and is resource intensive. Residents are reminded that a rescue in the mud flats anywhere in Cook Inlet surrounding Anchorage is outside of the service area for the Anchorage Fire Department and could result in a fee assessed for those needing assistance.

For Immediate Release	Contact: Bridget Bushue 317-7239
June 11, 2009

Sand Lake Recovery Effort

At 3:39 pm on Thursday, June 11, the Anchorage Fire Department Dive Team located the body of a man who went missing around 2:00 am on Wednesday, June 10 due to a canoeing accident. The search was aided by the Alaska Air National Guard's 212th Rescue Squadron Sector Sonar, which initially located a shape on the bottom of Sand Lake. The Anchorage Fire Department Dive Team then searched the area and found the body of the missing person at a depth of approximately 40 feet.

The Anchorage Fire Department would like to thank the Alaska Air National Guard's 212th Rescue Squadron and Alaska Search and Rescue Dogs for helping bring closure to the deceased victim’s family and friends

Sand Lake Canoe Flips – 1 Missing

Just minutes before 2:00 a.m. this morning Anchorage Fire Department personnel responded to their second water rescue operation in less than 12 hours.  AFD Dispatchers answered a 911 call from a distressed man who reported he and another man were canoeing in Sand Lake when the canoe flipped.  The caller had successfully swam to shore before making the call for help and believed the other person was still in the water.  Neither person in the canoe was wearing a personal flotation device.

Ten rescue apparatus were dispatched with divers and support personnel.  APD officers were also on location assisting with gathering information of the last know location of the canoe.  Fire officials along with APD quickly determine the best access into the lake would be from a private property at the end of W. 80^th off Sand Lake Rd.  Rescuers first had to interview the survivor and triangulate the area where he believed the canoe had flipped based on landmarks visible from the shoreline.  The survivor was also evaluated by AFD Medics who declined treatment.

AFD Divers commenced under water operations for nearly a half hour before calling off the search.  Search criterion is based largely on the time from when the incident is reported up to when it’s no longer considered viable to find survivors, after which it is considered a recovery operation.  AFD Rescuers terminated the search a little over one hour after the 911 call was made without success.  A shoreline search was also made with no findings or evidence the missing person had made it safely to shore.  The rescue operations were conducted during the hours of darkness which limited visibility in the water and surrounding areas.

The missing person is a male in his early 20’s.  No other details are available.  Continued search or recovery operations will be determined later today.

Eagle River Home Damaged by Fire

A few minutes past 1:00 a.m. this morning a resident at 17428 S Juanita Loop in Eagle River reported a fire in an upstairs bedroom at their home.  Eleven Anchorage Fire Department units were dispatched moments later.

Fire apparatus from the Eagle River station reported flames through the roof as they arrived on scene and called a Working Fire on a single family, 2 story structure.  Fire crews initiated a fast attack while other units from the Eagle River station assisted with a water supply and securing utilities. As additional units arrived from Anchorage stations they assisted in bringing the blaze under control and overhaul operations.  The fire was called under control within 20 minutes.

Fire officials said all occupants safely evacuated the structure which had working smoke detectors on both floors.  The fire damage was contained to the upper floor and roof in the area where the fire originated.  An investigation by on-scene crews determined the fire resulted from an unattended candle in a second floor bedroom, causing approximately $150K in damage.  A family pet canine was found deceased in the home as a result of the fire.  Red Cross assistance was not requested as the residents will be getting assistance from friends and family in the area.

Chemical Spill at Alaska Airlines Cargo Hangar

Shortly after 3:00 a.m. this morning eleven Anchorage Fire Department units responded to the Alaska Airlines Cargo Hangar located at 4100 Old International Airport Rd. for a reported chemical spill.  Reports from employees on location to Airport Public Safety Dispatchers reported a forklift had run over a formaldehyde container.

Airport Police and Fire units also responded and began to cordon off the area and assist with evacuation of employees.  A joint operation ensued between Airport and AFD responders to determine the exact type and quantity of the product released.  Once the Material Safety Data Sheets were examined AFD Hazmat technicians wearing special protective gear entered the building to contain and clean up the spill.  The spill covered an area approximately 4’ x 8’ amounting to about 1 quart of fluid.  Hazmat technicians used absorbent pads to clean up the spill and removed it from the hangar for disposal. Alaska Airlines will be responsible for final disposal of the substance. Employees were permitted back into the building a little over an hour after the incident occurred.  AFD and Airport responders were on scene for approximately 1 ½ hours.

AFD and Airport officials interviewed the employees working in the area and believe the spill resulted while the product was being moved by the forklift.  The operator did not realize the container had been punctured and began moving the pallet.  Two employees were exposed to the chemical and experienced some minor irritations.  They were examined by AFD medics on scene and refused further care.  Formaldehyde in large quantities and exposure can be extremely harmful if it comes in contact with the skin or inhaled.

Although an unusual response for both agencies AFD officials commented on a well coordinated operation.  The building was evacuated quickly and the area cordoned off.  AFD responders were provided with necessary information quickly and were able to communicate with Airport responders on a unified channel.  This incident is a great reminder for area businesses having chemicals on their locations to have MSDS and product information readily available and to take appropriate measures immediately when a spill or release occurs.  Areas should be cordoned off and anyone exposed to chemicals should be isolated away from those who were not exposed.

At approx. 0430 this morning, 11 units from the Anchorage Fire Department responded to the report of flames visible from the 2^nd story of Borders Books at 1100 E Dimond Blvd. The first unit arrived on location at 0431hrs and advised a sign was on fire on the side of the building, and caught the building on fire. The fire slightly penetrated the inside of the building, before it was placed under control 3 minutes later. The quick action of the caller from across the street and the crews that responded saved the building, causing only minimal damage. The cause was electrical in nature.