Controlled fires burn on Anchorage Hillside as crews work to reduce wildfire danger

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Monday morning was a wet one in Anchorage, a perfect day to start a large, controlled burn, according to state fire crews who are working near Hilltop Ski Area to remove dead trees and brush that could fuel a wildfire.

The cutting and clearing have been going on for several days, but on Monday, crews from the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection (DOF) began burning 100 large piles of debris that have accumulated from the work so far.

The project, called the East-West Connector, is part of a series of fuel breaks that are being cleared on municipal and state land.

“This is more of a preemptive or proactive approach to fuel reduction,” said DOF Spokesperson Jacob Welsh. “We do it before there is going to be a fire, and then we have an identifiable place where we have a defensible space to take a stand against the wildfire.”

Smoke from the burning piles could be seen on the lower Hillside on Monday, but Welsh said people should not be alarmed, the situation is under control.

“These are professionals conducting a controlled pile burning operation, so please don’t call 911 or report this smoke. Just rest assured, we have a lot of safety measures in place, and we don’t anticipate any spread from our piles,” Welsh said.

Welsh said the entire project will take about two weeks, and smoke will be visible often during that time.

There are also trail closures. The portion of the Hillside single-track trail system that runs from the Hilltop parking lot to the Prospect Heights Trail Head will be closed for the duration of the project, Welsh said. The Division of Forestry asks people to stay out of the area until the work is finished.

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