Plan Overview

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB) is one of the fastest growing regions in the State of Alaska. The population boom has caused significant increase in new construction for both homes and business, resulting in a rapidly growing wildland-urban interface (WUI). Wildfire risk has increased in recent years due to increased human activities, spruce bark beetle infestation, and climatic changes that have led to warmer, drier summers. While the MSB government has been working to protect individuals, communities and properties through FireWise and Hazard Fuel Reduction programs, a need for improved collaboration and the establishment of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) has become a top priority. To grow accustomed to the CWPP process and develop the methodology necessary for developing future community level CWPPs, it was decided a MSB umbrella (area wide) CWPP would be a logical first step, with more community specific plans developed later. The MSB community has experienced first hand the devastation of a catastrophic wildfire (Miller’s Reach Fire - 1996) and as a result this is a highly motivated effort intended to galvanize community members, property owners and government agencies against the threat of wildfires.

Plan Justification

 To grow accustomed to the CWPP process and develop the methodology necessary for developing future community level CWPPs, it was decided a MSB umbrella (area wide) CWPP would be a logical first step, with more community specific plans developed later. The MSB community has experienced first hand the devastation of a catastrophic wildfire (Miller’s Reach Fire - 1996) and as a result this is a highly motivated effort intended to galvanize community members, property owners and government agencies against the threat of wildfires.