HJR 15-WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS  4:26:06 PM CHAIR GIESSEL announced the consideration of CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15(CRA) 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. 4:26:53 PM REPRESENTATIVE KY HOLLAND, Alaska, District 9, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, introduced himself. 4:27:07 PM REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND said the presentation for SJR 18 provides a good framework for the work being done to address wildfires in Alaska. He advanced to slide 2, containing a map of Alaska indicating significant wildland fire potential: [Original punctuation provided.] The Growing Wildfire Threat in Alaska  • Unusually dry conditions in South Central Alaska • Increased wildfire risk due to rising temperatures and 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. REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND said dry conditions may lead to an early, more significant wildfire season. This information was shared with Anchorage area community councils as well as state and local fire jurisdictions to raise awareness and concern about the potential danger and to encourage early planning efforts. He directed attention to the map on slide 2 and said the potential for wildfire danger is extending beyond typical high danger areas. 4:28:55 PM SENATOR HUGHES referred to the map included on slide 2, pointing out that it was issued on March 3, 2025. She said the map was reissued one month later and commented that the wildfire threat is ongoing. REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND said conditions change and the map is updated monthly. 4:29:13 PM REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND advanced to slide 3: [Original punctuation provided.] Strengthening Interagency Communication and Coordination 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. SENATOR HOLLAND briefly discussed the challenge of managing wildfire treatment and evacuation in areas where a single road leads to many homes. He emphasized the importance of ensuring the right of way is cleared and that road capacity allows for the simultaneous evacuation of residents and arrival of emergency equipment. 4:31:44 PM SENATOR HOLLAND advanced to slide 4 and said that HJR 15 addresses both government agency preparedness and public preparedness: [Original punctuation provided.] Community Engagement and Public Preparedness    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. 4:33:06 PM REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND advanced to slide 5: [Original punctuation provided.]  Call to Action   2025 Wildfire Season has started!  • State and Local Leaders: Implement wildfire mitigation strategies now. • Residents: Take part in preparedness programs and report risks. • Congress and Federal Agencies: Support Alaska with funding & resources. • First Responders and Public Safety Officers: Participate in interagency training and drills. REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND stated that the 2025 wildfire season was declared early. 4:34:29 PM REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND concluded that HJR 15 is a call to action for the 2025 wildfire season. He expressed hope that this would help raise awareness of the long-term work that is needed. He briefly discussed historical urban core fires and the subsequent changes that mitigated those fire risks. He expressed hope that large, urban perimeter fires would be similarly managed. He said that, in the future, large fires do not need to equal loss of life and major infrastructure losses. He stated that his goal is to bring awareness and to encourage support of the work being done to reduce wildfires. 4:36:31 PM SENATOR HUGHES said it is horrific to think of the impacts of large urban fires and expressed appreciation for HJR 15. She briefly discussed the National Interagency Fire Center maps for upcoming months. She expressed concern that campfires could potentially lead to wildfires. She said unhoused populations often start campfires in treed areas, which increases the potential for wildfires. She asked if this had been addressed. 4:37:34 PM REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND shared his understanding that the Municipality of Anchorage has been considering this issue and deferred the question. 4:38:06 PM NORM MCDONALD, Deputy Director, Division of Forestry and Fire Protection, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Palmer, Alaska, said the Division is working with the Municipality of Anchorage to identify high-risk areas. Work on some of those locations is scheduled to begin in spring of 2025. 4:38:49 PM SENATOR KAWASAKI noted recent federal announcements that states would assume responsibility for disaster response funding. He asked how the State of Alaska would address this. He commented that that Alaska has many urban-wilderness interface areas, which create additional risk. 4:39:45 PM MR. MCDONALD said the Division of Forestry and Fire Protection (DFFP) is aware of this issue and is awaiting additional information. He said the National Association of State Foresters provides a channel for the State of Alaska to communicate its support for upcoming changes - or any concerns - to federal agencies. 4:40:24 PM SENATOR KAWASAKI recalled extensive wildfires in the 2010's and the effort to build fire breaks, roads, and access points for fire equipment that resulted from those fires. He asked whether this is something that DFFP is continuing to work towards - or whether those fire mitigation efforts have become lax due to a lack of funding. 4:40:59 PM MR. MCDONALD said the DFFP continues to invest a great deal of effort and energy into the fuels program. He briefly discussed fire protection efforts at Murphy Dome, including a fuel break to protect subdivision residents. He said fuel breaks make up a large percentage of DFFP funding. There are fuel breaks around the state (from Fairbanks to Homer) with both state and federal funding sources. He said preparedness and fuels mitigation are a large part of the mission of DFFP. 4:41:55 PM CHAIR GIESSEL held HJR 15 in committee.