WHEREAS, Alaska’s breathtaking wildlands serve as habitat for fish and wildlife, provides abundant recreational opportunities for residents and visitors, and is home to vast timber resources, and that enrich our Alaskan lifestyle; and
WHEREAS, wildland fires are a natural part of the ecosystem and are crucial to the maintenance of forest health; they are inevitable, unpredictable, and can spread at a swift pace, endangering lives and property; and
WHEREAS, Alaska’s wildland fire management agencies share the common goals of promoting personal safety and reducing loss of life, while preserving and enhancing the health of forests and wetlands; and
WHEREAS, naturally caused wildland fires are part of a healthy ecosystem, fires caused by people occur every year, and pose a threat to residents, firefighters, and property. Wildland fires pose a serious public safety concern, so Alaskans must use precautions, practice prevention, and be prepared to protect the communities that are surrounded by, and intermingled with, undeveloped lands; and
WHEREAS, on average, more than one million acres burn from wildfires in Alaska each year, making public awareness of wildland fire prevention practices and preparedness measures crucial for public safety.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Michael J. Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim May 12-18, 2019 as:
Wildland Fire Prevention and Preparedness Week
in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to recognize the importance of wildfires to the Alaskan landscape, be aware of their potential for damage, and commit to educate themselves on how to reduce the threat of wildland fires to their homes, property, and community.
