WHEREAS, fires cause devastating personal injury and property loss throughout Alaska; and
WHEREAS, fire is a public safety concern, with individuals facing the greatest risk in their own homes or in the homes of others: and
WHEREAS, in 2025, there were 751 residential structure fires reported in Alaska, resulting in 14 civilian deaths, 32 civilian injuries, 28 firefighter injuries, and $45,217,974 in property loss; and
WHEREAS, the three most common causes of residential fires in Alaska are unattended cooking, unsafe heating, and other preventable, human-caused acts, with 53 percent of home fire deaths resulting from fires in properties with no smoke alarms installed; and
WHEREAS, it is essential for every Alaskan household to have properly functioning fire safety equipment such as smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers, and to test them regularly, as well as an established fire escape plan; and
WHEREAS, Alaskans share the responsibility to protect their homes and families by practicing simple fire prevention measures every day, including never leaving cooking unattended and keeping cooking areas clean and free from ignitable materials, using heating equipment safely by maintaining three feet of clearance from combustibles, and scheduling annual cleaning and inspection of heating equipment by a qualified professional; and
WHEREAS, by following and utilizing these critical fire safety and prevention guidelines and methods, we can reduce fire-related injuries and prevent future loss of life in our communities. We encourage all Alaskans to practice this year’s fire safety theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower!”
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim October 2026 as:
Fire Prevention Month
in Alaska and encourage all Alaskans to be proactive and take precautionary measures to avoid fires and participate in public safety activities offered this month by the Alaska Department of Public Safety’s Division of Fire and Life Safety and emergency services across our Great State.
Dated: October 1, 2026
