Legislature(2025 - 2026)BARNES 124
04/01/2025 08:00 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB50 | |
| HCR3 | |
| HJR15 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 50 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HCR 3 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HJR 15-WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS
8:21:22 AM
CO-CHAIR MEARS announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15, Urging the Governor, the
Department of Natural Resources, division of forestry and fire
protection, the Department of Public Safety, municipalities of
the state and relevant wildfire planning and response agencies,
and the Alaska delegation in Congress to prepare for the 2025
wildfire season.
8:21:44 AM
CORBIN MORRISON, Staff, Representative Ky Holland, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Holland, prime sponsor,
presented HJR 15. He paraphrased the sponsor statement
[included in the committee packet], which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
House Joint Resolution 15 underscores the critical
need for enhanced wildfire preparedness a Alaska faces
increasingly severe fire seasons due to rising
temperatures and reduce precipitation. The resolution
urges the Governor, state agencies, municipal
governments, and Alaska's congressional delegation to
take proactive measures to mitigate wildfire risks,
increase community preparations, and strengthen
response capabilities ahead of the 2025 season for
Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kenai, Soldotna, and other high-
risk zones.
Specifically, HJR 15 calls for the development of
comprehensive wildfire response plans, expanded public
education initiatives, improved fire suppression
resources, and the implementation of advanced early
detection and emergency notification systems. It also
highlights the necessity of securing additional water
sources, improving evacuation planning, and enhancing
interagency coordination to protect high-risk
communities.
By prioritizing these efforts, the state can reduce
the impact of wildfires on Alaskan residents,
infrastructure, and economic stability. Wildfire
preparedness is not just a seasonal concern but a
long-term necessity for protecting lives, property,
and natural resources. Taking proactive steps now will
strengthen our ability to respond effectively,
minimize damage, and ensure that communities are
equipped to handle wildfire threats.
House Joint Resolution 15 reinforces the importance of
collaboration between state, local, and federal
agencies to implement strategic mitigation efforts and
emergency response improvements. Supporting this
resolution is a commitment to safeguarding Alaska's
future against the growing risks of wildfires.
8:23:03 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND, as prime sponsor, shared contextual
details on House District 9, a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI)
area, and background on HJR 15. He began a PowerPoint
presentation, titled "Preparing for the 2025 Wildfire Season"
[included in the committee packet]. He referred to slide 2,
"The Growing Wildfire Threat in Alaska," which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
• Unusually dry conditions in South Central Alaska
• Increased wildfire risk due to rising
temperatures & lower precipitation.
• High -risk communities in WUI areas: Anchorage,
Fairbanks, Kenai, Soldotna, and others.
• Challenges: Limited water sources, difficult
terrain, single -access roads.
• Benefits of Action: Reduce firefighting costs,
economic damage, and loss of lives and homes.
8:28:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND continued to slide 3, "Strengthening
Interagency Communication & Coordination," which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
Key Recommendations in HJR 15:
- State and local agencies review and update wildfire
response plans.
- Fire departments, forestry officials, and public
safety officers collaborate on equipment, drills, and
evacuation plans.
- Pursue investments in aerial firefighting resources,
water reservoirs, and critical road ROW maintenance.
- Federal support is crucialWe urge Congress to
increase funding for Alaska's wildfire prevention
efforts.
8:30:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND turned to slide 4, "Community Engagement
& Public Preparedness," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Key Recommendations in HJR 15:
Proactive Community Actions:
- Expand Firewise USA participation & homeowner
education.
- Promote "Ready, Set, Go!" evacuation preparedness
program.
- Increase early detection efforts and emergency
notifications.
- Organize community wildfire drills and evacuation
route planning.
8:33:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND concluded on slide 5, "Call to Action,"
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
2025 Wildfire Season has started!
- State & Local Leaders: Implement wildfire mitigation
strategies now.
- Residents: Take part in preparedness programs &
report risks.
- Congress & Federal Agencies: Support Alaska with
funding & resources.
- First Responders & Public Safety Officers:
Participate in interagency training & drills.
8:35:59 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT asked how fire evacuation planning is
different from other emergency planning.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND said this type of planning is appropriate
for any emergency situation. He added that wildfire related
preparation makes a dramatic difference in how much people's
homes are affected.
8:38:18 AM
CO-CHAIR MEARS opened invited testimony.
8:38:49 AM
DREW DEMBOWSKI, representing self, spoke to the impact of the
Eaton Fires in Altadena, California. He said countless homes
and 1900 small businesses burned in the fire, which was caused
by a Santa Ana wind event hitting energized power lines and a
particularly dry hillside. He said preparation is the only
solution and urged support for HJR 15.
8:44:22 AM
JONATHAN GLOVER, Chief, Wildfire Division, Anchorage Fire
Department (AFD), said the Wildfire Division is prepping for an
early fire season, which has the potential to be a great threat
to Southcentral Alaska. He said preparation is critical for
areas like Anchorage where over 86 percent of the housing is in
a WUI intermix area. Anchorage has multiple areas of single
egress and access that pose a real threat to the public,
especially with regard to evacuation and fire response.
Posturing for this season has involved coordination with
stakeholders, agencies, and suppression partners. In addition,
focus has been placed on community messaging to prepare the
public for evacuation in the case of a serious wildfire. He
spoke to collaboration between state and federal partners and
said the region's preparedness is at unprecedented levels. The
division has worked hard on the community wildfire protection
plan a major effort that would showcase the vulnerabilities of
the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) and ensure preparedness for
the onset of this and future wildlife seasons.
8:50:52 AM
CO-CHAIR MEARS asked Chief Glover to speak to the Solid Waste
Services Wood Lot program.
CHIEF GLOVER said based on the community's receptiveness and
positive feedback, the program was stood up again this year. It
is currently active out of the Highland Landfill and will become
active at the Central Transfer Station on May 1, 2025. He said
the program would be fully staffed 6 days a week at no cost the
public for MOA residents.
8:53:34 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT recalled that Chief Glover had stated that
the [Wildlife Division] was unfunded for 10 years and is now
grant funded. She asked when the funding was reinstated and
whether its state or federal funding.
CHIEF GLOVER said funding became active in 2023 and expires in
quarter 1 of 2028. The program is currently funded through a
U.S. Forest Service grant.
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT asked whether Southeast Alaska should be
standing up a similar program.
CHIEF GLOVER encouraged Co-Chair Himschoot to reach out to his
office or the U.S. Forest Service for further information.
8:56:41 AM
CO-CHAIR MEARS opened public testimony on HJR 15.
8:57:09 AM
CINDY KINARD, representing self, testified in support of HJR 15.
She opined that early detection and rapid aerial suppression are
the two most important actions proposed by HJR 15, as most of
the other fixing actions are only needed if detection is too
late or if the aerial response is delayed. Using tax valuation
alone, she calculated that $5 million in funding for early fire
suppression in Anchorage is "miniscule" by comparison. She
implored the committee to approve HJR 15 and to enact the
detection and suppression capacity immediately.
CO-CHAIR MEARS closed public testimony. She asked Mr. McDonald
to respond to Co-Chair Himschoot's prior question.
9:01:10 AM
NORM MCDONALD, Deputy Director, Fire Protection Program,
Division of Forestry and Fire Protection, Department of Natural
Resources (DNR), suggested that [if Southeast Alaska were to
enact a similar plan], the place to start would be with a
community wildfire protection plan to provide a funding source,
answer questions, and provide a planning platform for
evacuation, community outreach, and public safety. He added
that the Division of Forestry and Fire Protection ("the
division") could help support this in conjunction with the U.S.
Forest Service for Southeast Alaska in particular.
9:02:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND referred to the map on slide 2, which
showed Southeast, Southwest, and Southcentral Alaska as high-
risk areas for wildfires. He asked about the wildfire risk in
the Interior this year.
MR. MCDONALD clarified that the map shows projections for April
and May. Outlooks for May and June would be more relevant to
the Interior, which usually has the highest fire activity.
9:05:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JULIE COLOUMBE, Alaska State Legislature, co-
sponsor of HCR 15, expressed her support for the legislation and
voiced concern about the management of Chugach State Park in
terms of fire mitigation. She emphasized the importance of
communication and said the primary goal is to save lives. She
said she was impressed with all the coordination between the
state and the municipality.
CO-CHAIR MEARS questioned the communication plan if a fire were
to break out in Anchorage with the possibility of spreading.
CHIEF GLOVER reiterated that the Ready Set Go platform would
help with preparedness. His division is also working with
partner agencies and other departments to discuss this very
topic. He indicated that communication planning involves the
rave alert systems, Smart911, social media, and general
broadcasting. He indicated that in preparing for the 2025 fire
season, the community should be in the "set" position of "ready
set go" and be prepared with a plan.
9:09:59 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT highlighted the reference to "emergency news
sources" on page 3, line 11, which means public broadcasting for
Southeast Alaska. She questioned what that means for urban
areas.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND agreed and recalled that in 2018, there
was mass confusion that highlighted the importance of offering
an authoritative, clear news source. He noted that the Office
of Emergency Management's (OEM's) website has a dashboard for
notifications and asked about the strategy for Smart911, the
Rave Alert system, and Pulse Point, as places for timely
authoritative information.
CHIEF GLOVER acknowledged that all three communication methods
are utilized, adding that the primary focus is to send a unified
message.
9:17:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE pointed out that HCR 15 establishes a
deadline of May 1, 2025, for multi-agency tabletop exercises and
live evacuation drills. He questioned the possibility of
meeting that deadline and the cost associated with those
exercises.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND characterized the deadline as a "call to
action" to speed up ongoing efforts and an acknowledgment of the
early 2025 wildfire season.
MR. MCDONALD stated that smaller tabletop exercises are the most
effective way to prepare and communicate information, as well as
being low cost.
CO-CHAIR MEARS questioned the timeline for these exercises.
MR. MCDONALD said pre-season begins in April with preparation by
May 1.
CHIEF GLOVER added that AFD has been meeting with the department
on a regular basis since January. He reiterated that the level
of coordination and communication this year is unprecedented.
He agreed that large drills look impressive to the public but
low-level operational exercises are more functional and
applicable to a real-world response.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE questioned the meaning of "advanced
fire detection technology" and how that might be implemented in
preparation for the 2025 wildfire season.
9:27:47 AM
CHIEF GLOVER said AFD is pursuing various technologies to
support the municipality in early detection. He shared several
examples.
CO-CHAIR MEARS asked for more context from the state
perspective.
MR. MCDONALD explained that the state uses four primary
detection models: 911 dispatch; two satellite systems, Planet
and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), for heat
signatures and mapping; and the use of aircraft post lightening
events to track ground strikes and look for signs of smoke.
9:31:34 AM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE suggested that page 3, lines 29-31 may
need to be amended for the 2025 season. He shared concerns from
his district about the consolidation of dispatch services to a
central office in Palmer and the delays that might bring. He
expressed further concern about the ability to direct assets in
an appropriate manner and fulfill the requests outlined in HJR
15 in the next 30 days.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND welcomed clarifying language regarding
the 911 response center and coordination to ensure that the
resolution has the broadest possible impact. He acknowledged
the difficulty of accomplishing everything in the next month but
hoped the resolution would change the trajectory and emphasize
the importance of the work.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE questioned what the agency thinks about
the request for aerial assets, what it would cost, and what that
might look like.
MR. MCDONALD said the division's goal is to be at preparedness
level 3 and spoke to the ability to import resources to support
that mission through several avenues, such as the Northwest
compact.
9:42:00 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT shared several observations and questioned
the time between Palmer and Anchorage for an aerial response.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND said its surprisingly quick to deliver
aerial assets from Palmer to the Hillside area in Anchorage and
recognized the advantages of holding assets in a central
location. He deferred the question to Mr. McDonald.
9:45:22 AM
MR. MCDONALD said the division has 7 helicopters prepositioned
during fire season, 2 contracted air tankers, and the ability to
import additional aircraft to support the mission as fire
behavior dictates. Flight time from Palmer to Anchorage is 25
minutes, so early detection and response is critical. He
addressed the state's relationship with Canada and their
commitment to the compact.
9:47:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HALL viewed the resolution as a communication
vehicle to enable elevated conversation about the issue. She
spoke to her experience with reporting on wildfires in her
broadcast journalism career and stressed the importance of
taking proactive measures to mitigate devastation. She opined
that the HJR 15 reflects a degree of micromanagement and
suggested broadening its scope. She expressed additional
concern about the May 1, 2025, timeline and reiterated her
support for the conversation.
CO-CHAIR MEARS asked about the risk maps and whether there are
other high-risk areas to call attention to this year.
MR. MCDONALD answered black spruce is the highest risk fuel type
especially when adjacent to residential areas. He commented on
the history of fires in the Hillside neighborhood and identified
certain high-risk conditions in Homer with its grassy pre-
season, as well as black spruce areas in Fairbanks.
9:54:49 AM
CO-CHAIR MEARS asked how [the fire season] is shaping up for
Alaska's out of state partners.
MR. MCDONALD indicated that horrific storms have hit the
Southeast U.S. creating a huge fuel load and an early, higher
activity fire season.
CO-CHAIR MEARS announced that HJR 15 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 50 Sectional Analysis version I.pdf |
HCRA 3/25/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/1/2025 8:00:00 AM |
SB 50 |
| SB 50 Version I 3.10.25.pdf |
HCRA 3/25/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/1/2025 8:00:00 AM |
SB 50 |
| SB 50 Explanation of Changes version A to version I.pdf |
HCRA 3/25/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/1/2025 8:00:00 AM |
SB 50 |
| SB 50 Testimony - Received as of 3.24.25.pdf |
HCRA 3/25/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/1/2025 8:00:00 AM |
SB 50 |
| SB50 Testimony Received as of 3.31.2025.pdf |
HCRA 4/1/2025 8:00:00 AM |
SB 50 |
| SB 50 Sponsor Statement version I.pdf |
HCRA 3/25/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/1/2025 8:00:00 AM |
SB 50 |
| HCR 3 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HCRA 3/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/1/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/3/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/8/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/10/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HCR 3 |
| HCR 3 Version A.pdf |
HCRA 3/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/1/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/3/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/8/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/10/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HCR 3 |
| HCR 3 Fiscal Note - LEG-COU-3.26.25.pdf |
HCRA 3/27/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/1/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/3/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/8/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/10/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HCR 3 |
| HJR 15 Version I.pdf |
HCRA 4/1/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/8/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HJR 15 |
| HJR 15 Version I Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HCRA 4/1/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/8/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HJR 15 |
| HJR 15 Emergency Fire Season Declaration 3.5.25.pdf |
HCRA 4/1/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/8/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HJR 15 |
| HJR 15 Factsheet Fairbanks Wildfire.pdf |
HCRA 4/1/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/8/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HJR 15 |
| HJR 15 Factsheet Anchorage Wildfire.pdf |
HCRA 4/1/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/8/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HJR 15 |
| HJR 15 Presentation 4.01.2025.pdf |
HCRA 4/1/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/8/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HJR 15 |
| HJR 15 Fiscal Note 4.1.2025.pdf |
HCRA 4/1/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HJR 15 |