Residents urge Assembly to fund wildfire division staffing to pursue grants and reduce risk

Multiple public commenters at the Assembly’s Nov. 4 budget hearing urged the municipality to sustain staffing for the Anchorage Fire Department’s Wildfire Division so the city can pursue federal grants and continue fuel‑reduction work in the urban wildland interface.

Mark June of the Hillside Area Landowners Association told the Assembly that roughly 83% of Anchorage falls within a wildland‑urban interface and described recent local responses to a string of outdoor fires. He said the Wildfire Division’s two full‑time positions and one part‑time position have driven outreach, education and fuel‑reduction projects and that losing those positions would hinder the municipality’s ability to apply for external funding under the community wildfire protection plan.

John Weddleton and other speakers reinforced that continuity matters: they said prior grant‑funded programs made measurable progress but momentum stalled when staffing and funding lapsed. Speakers asked the Assembly to fund the positions so the Muni can continue applying for grants, complete planned projects and sustain community education.

The Assembly acknowledged the testimony and continued the operating budget public hearing to Nov. 18, when members will consider amendments related to the operating budget and capital program.