Before, During and After
Visit the Borough's local "Ready, Set, Go!" Preparedness and Evacuation Program at info.kpb.us to learn more about before, during and after actions during wildfire season. Across the landscape on the Kenai Peninsula, there have been numerous wildland fires that have affected the Wildland Urban Interface, the area of transition between developed residential or commercial structures and the wilderness. These fires include the 2014 Funny River Fire, 2015 Card Street Fire, and in 2019 the Swan Lake, North Fork and Caribou Lake Fires. Wildfires can ruin homes and cause injuries or death to people and animals. A wildfire is an unplanned fire that burns in a natural area such as a forest, grassland, or prairie. Wildfires can:
- Often be caused by humans or lightning.
- Disrupt transportation, gas, power, and communications.
- Happen anywhere, anytime. Risk increases within periods of little rain and high winds.
- Cost the Federal Government billions of dollars each year.
During a Wildfire
KPB Joint Information Hub
for multi-agency incident information
Evacuate. Leave immediately if authorities tell you to do so.
Enact your emergency animal sheltering plan if you have animals. Please be aware that Red Cross disaster shelters cannot accept pets because of public health concerns. Service animals who assist people with disabilities are the only animals allowed in Red Cross shelters. Emotional support animals and livestock will not be allowed at the shelter. Review the KPB Pet Shelter Annex for more information.
If trapped, call 911 and give your location, but be aware that emergency response could be delayed or impossible. Turn on lights to help people find you.
Listen for emergency information and alerts. Sign up for KPB Alerts for critical information during emergencies.
Use an N95 mask to keep particles out of the air you breathe. How Smoke from Fires Can Affect Your Health 
Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
Be safe AFTER
Listen to authorities to find out when it is safe to return, and whether water is safe to drink. The KPB Joint Information Center will provide information from multiple agencies for your convenience.
Avoid hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris, and live embers. The ground may contain heat pockets that can burn you or spark another fire. Consider the danger to pets and livestock.
Send text messages or use social media to reach out to family and friends. Phone systems are often busy following a disaster. Make calls only in emergencies.
Wear a NIOSH certified-respirator dust mask and wet debris down to minimize breathing dust particles.
Document property damage with photographs. Conduct an inventory and contact your insurance company for assistance.
Wildfires dramatically change landscape and ground conditions, which can lead to increased risk of flooding due to heavy rains, flash flooding and mudflows. Flood risk remains significantly higher until vegetation is restored—up to 5 years after a wildfire.
Consider purchasing flood insurance to protect the life you've built and to assure financial protection from future flooding.
Prepare BEFORE a Wildfire
- How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
- What is my shelter plan?
- What is my evacuation route?
- What is my family/household communication plan?
Sign up for KPB Alerts to receive critical information during emergencies.
Know your community’s evacuation routes.
Have a plan for pets and livestock.
Build a 7-Day Emergency Kit. Try this 7-Day Emergency Kit for an easy to follow plan to build your 7-day kit over 3 months. Consider each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets, make sure you have enough food since shelters don’t normally provide pet food. Have extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment.
Keep important documents in a fireproof safe. Create passwordprotected digital copies.
Use fire-resistant materials to build, renovate, or make repairs.
Find an outdoor water source with a hose that can reach any area of your property.
Create a defensible space around your home that is free of leaves, debris, or flammable materials for at least 30 feet from your home.
Review insurance coverage to make sure it is enough to replace your property.
Burn Permits are required as of April 1st - Alaska Division of Forestry
Related Links
Ready, Set, Go Program
BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Division of Forestry
Alaska Wildland Fire Information
Air Quality
Air Quality Advisories - Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation
The following brochures, checklist and fact sheets have been provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the American Red Cross and the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).
Are You Ready For a Fire?
Avoiding Wildfire Damage Checklist
House and Building Fires Fact Sheet
Wildfire... Are You Prepared?
Wildland Fires Fact Sheet