Legislature(2025 - 2026)BUTROVICH 205
04/14/2025 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR11 | |
| SJR19 | |
| SJR18 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HJR 11 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SJR 19 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 139 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SJR 18-WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS
3:39:30 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL announced the consideration of SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 18 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.
3:39:57 PM
INTIMAYO HARBISON, Staff, Senator Cathy Giessel, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, said that SJR 18 underscores the
critical need for enhanced wildfire preparedness in Alaska. He
explained that, in recent years, wildfire season in Alaska has
increased in severity. He noted that many other states are also
experiencing increased wildfire risk. He reiterated that SJR 18
emphasizes the need for wildfire preparedness.
3:40:58 PM
MR. HARBISON directed attention to SJR 18, page 2, lines 23-27:
[Original punctuation provided.]
BE IT RESOLVED that, in preparation for the 2025
wildfire season, the Alaska State Legislature urges
the Governor, the Department of Natural Resources,
division of forestry and fire protection, and relevant
municipal and local agencies to enhance wildfire
preparedness and response coordination by reviewing
and developing comprehensive interagency wildfire
response plans specific to high-risk wildland-urban
interface communities;
MR. HARBISON read from SJR 18, page 3, lines 4-7:
[Original punctuation provided.]
FURTHER RESOLVED that, in preparation for the 2025
wildfire season, the Alaska State Legislature urges
the Governor, the Department of Natural Resources,
division of forestry and fire protection, and relevant
municipal and local agencies to expand public outreach
and education
MR. HARBISON explained that Alaska lacks wildfire preparedness
education and outreach.
3:41:35 PM
MR. HARBISON directed attention to SJR 18, page 3, lines 13-15
and emphasized the need for emergency response and evacuation
drills. He pointed to the recent wildfires in California as
evidence for the need for evacuation plans. He stated that
wildfires can grow out of control faster than communities can
evacuate. Preparedness is key to preventing loss of life and
property.
MR. HARBISON directed attention to SJR 18, page 3, lines 20-23
and said this section encourages the governor and the Department
of Natural Resources (DNR), and local agencies to bolster fire
suppression resources across Alaska. He then turned to SJR 18,
page 3, lines 27-30 and explained that this section encourages
the governor, DNR, and local agencies to improve fire detection
and early warning systems. He directed attention to SJR 18, page
4, lines 2-4 and stated that this section encourages Alaska's
congressional delegation and other federal representatives to
advocate for increased federal funding to support Alaska's
wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts.
3:43:45 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked who would receive copies of SJR 18.
Specifically, he asked whether SJR 18 would be sent to North
Pole, Alaska. He wondered if the recipient list in the
resolution is inclusive.
3:44:15 PM
MR. HARBISON replied that the recipient list in SJR 18 is non-
comprehensive and additional communities could be added.
3:44:37 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL said that [associate professor Jen Schmidt at the
Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of
Alaska Anchorage] has developed a wildfire prediction model
capable of determining the direction a fire would take as it
swept through the Hillside neighborhood in Anchorage. She opined
that this is very interesting and noted the level of detailed
information Ms. Schmidt's models provide. She shared her
understanding that Chugach Electric has added sensing devices to
utility poles to detect fires. She noted a recent incident in
Bear Valley in which a utility pole came down during a winter
windstorm and the electrical device ignited. She emphasized the
risk of wildfires regardless of season. She said the
Municipality of Anchorage's Firewise Home Assessment program has
been highly publicized and more residents are building
defensible perimeters around their homes as a result. She noted
that the Anchorage Regional Landfill Wood Lot would be free for
residents in 2025. However, she was uncertain about wildfire
preparations in other municipalities.
3:46:19 PM
SENATOR MYERS said that Golden Valley Electric Association
(GVEA) is proactively planning for wildfires; however, right-of-
way boundaries have created challenges, particularly with downed
trees. He pointed out that downed trees have caused wildfires in
the past. He said there is interest in maintaining defensible
spaces and public education has been a priority. He said the
focus has been on education and expressed uncertainty about
whether specific changes are underway for fire season. He noted
discussions about evacuation planning. He stated that, while he
is aware that changes are underway, he does not have full
details.
3:48:11 PM
SENATOR HUGHES mentioned Kenai Peninsula and Big Lake fires and
emphasized that fire is always a concern. She said she is
unaware of any specific plans related to planning. She expressed
concern about potential fires in the Hillside neighborhood in
Anchorage. She opined that it is wise to maximize wildfire
preparedness, particularly in areas with a high concentration of
homes.
3:48:55 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN commented that both Southeast and Southcentral
Alaska have experienced lower-than-average snowfall during the
current (2024-2025) winter season, which often leads to drier
summer conditions. He noted recent fires in Los Angeles,
California and fires in various parts of Alaska. He stated that
these fires serve as reminders of the real potential for
wildfires and emphasized the importance of preparedness. He
indicated support for SJR 18.
3:49:54 PM
NORM MCDONALD, Deputy Director, Division of Forestry and Fire
Protection, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Palmer,
Alaska, said that DNR provides the Kenai Peninsula, Denali,
Anchorage, Mat-Su, and Fairbanks Northstar Boroughs with funding
for woody debris lots. In addition, DNR hosts debris lots in
Tok, Delta, and Copper River. He said this is part of a
statewide effort to decrease on-site woody debris fires and
increase fire safety.
3:50:47 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL emphasized the usefulness of this program, which
is free of charge for 2025.
3:50:53 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL opened public testimony on SJR 18; finding none,
she closed public testimony.
3:51:11 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL held SJR 18 in committee.
3:51:26 PM
MR. HARBISON directed attention to supporting documents for SJR
18, particularly the Arctic Urban Risks and Adaptations (AURA)
wildfire factsheets prepared by Robert Zeal (University of
Alaska). He noted that these documents address wildfires in and
around Fairbanks and Anchorage. He also directed attention to
the Public Order, Emergency Declaration of Fire Season, signed
by Jeremy Douse (State Forester and Division Director with DNR).
He stated that SJR 18 is an attempt to support those efforts.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SJR 18 Factsheet Anchorage Wildfire.pdf |
SRES 4/14/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 18 |
| SJR 18 Fiscal Note.pdf |
SRES 4/14/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 18 |
| SJR 18 Factsheet Fairbanks Wildfire.pdf |
SRES 4/14/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 18 |
| SJR 18 Sponsor Statement .pdf |
SRES 4/14/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 18 |
| DNR Response to HRES re wildland fire at 3.14.25 meeting.pdf |
SRES 4/14/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 18 |
| SJR 18 Emergency Fire Season Declaration 3.5.25.pdf |
SRES 4/14/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 18 |