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DNR requests $10.1 million supplemental for FY2025 fire suppression costs
Summary
The Department of Natural Resources briefed the subcommittee on a FY2025 supplemental request of $10,141,700 to the fire suppression fund after invoices and obligations exceeded prior allocations; DNR warned failure to pay would jeopardize cooperative agreements.
Juneau — The Department of Natural Resources told the House Finance DNR subcommittee on Feb. 24 that it is requesting a FY2025 supplemental appropriation of $10,141,700 from the Unrestricted General Fund to cover current fire suppression activities.
Deputy Commissioner Brent Goodrum said the supplemental is intended to cover the department's estimate of general funds required for the remainder of the FY2025 fire season because the initial FY2025 allocation of approximately $34,340,000 is insufficient to cover invoices and obligations incurred to date. "Failure to meet these financial obligations promptly will result in the state of Alaska not fulfilling the intent of cooperating agreements and contracts," Goodrum said, warning that unpaid obligations could jeopardize relationships and the state's ability to protect values at risk from wildland fires.
The presentation included a 10-year chart showing average annual fire and pre-positioning costs of just over $60 million, and DNR emphasized the variability of suppression costs driven by the length and intensity of the fire season.
Committee members accepted the supplemental as informational; the subcommittee chair noted that supplemental appropriations are not technically within the committee's purview but invited the briefing for context. Lawmakers asked clarifying questions about the relationship of supplemental requests to FY2026 budgeting and about how the department forecasts and manages variable suppression expenses.
No committee action or vote on the supplemental request was recorded in the transcript.
