The Clear Fire in Interior Alaska has come within a half-mile of the Parks Highway, prompted evacuation orders for several communities, and is still just 22% contained. Wildfires consume more than just acreage – they consume resources too. Understanding more about wildfire hazards, treatment and preparation is important for residents to mitigate their risks.
ISER associate professor Jen Schmidt has developed online maps residents can use to determine their level of wildfire risk. Maps are available for the Anchorage, Fairbanks, Whitehorse, Kenai and Mat-Su areas.
The maps also give insight to existing wildfires like the Clear Fire. Schmidt developed an overlay of the Clear Fire on the hazard map. “One thing it shows is that in extremely dry years like this one, anything can burn, even vegetation that usually is not that flammable. If you live in areas with wildfire activity taking personal actions to mitigate wildfire are highly recommended.”
Eighty-seven wildfires are burning in Alaska now. Many were sparked by lightning and fueled by hot, dry conditions. Year to date, wildfires in Alaska have burned almost 2.9 million acres.
More about ISER’s wildfire risk hazard maps
The Clear Fire (black outline) superimposed over wildfire exposure maps (using data from 2014) shows that even very low flammable materials (in blue) can be consumed during hot, dry weather conditions like those Alaska experienced in 2022.
