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.