Red Cross of Alaska Summer Wildfire Response Recap
Volunteers responded to fires in the Municipality of Anchorage and in the Denali, Fairbanks North Star, Kenai Peninsula and Matanuska-Susitna Boroughs during wildfire season
Volunteers responded to fires in the Municipality of Anchorage and in the Denali, Fairbanks North Star, Kenai Peninsula and Matanuska-Susitna Boroughs during wildfire season
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, October 1, 2019 — The Alaska summer 2019 wildfire season has drawn to a close, and the Red Cross is taking a moment to look back on the past four months and the disasters that have impacted communities around the state during this time period.
Throughout the months of June, July, August and September 2019, the Red Cross was on the ground, assisting Alaskans displaced by the Shovel Creek Fire, the Swan Lake Fire, the Montana, Malaspina and McKinley Fires, as well as by fires in Anderson, Anchorage and Rainy Pass.
Alaska’s statutory wildfire season usually runs from April 1 through August 31, but the Alaska Department of Natural Resources announced this year that due to persisting high fire danger as a result of continued warm, dry conditions, Alaska’s wildfire season was extended from August 31 to September 30.
“It turned out to be a long year for our disaster volunteers beginning with the earthquake this winter,” said Regional Disaster Officer, Kelley McGuirk. “Although the hot summer was nice for our gardens and summer fun, it kept residents around the state – as well as our staff and volunteers – on edge with wildfires popping up frequently in all areas of the state. It was indeed an unprecedented summer. Now, we rest.”
As soon as each wildfire started, Red Cross volunteers sprang into action, providing comfort, shelter, food and emotional support to those affected. As we moved through each of the responses and started the recovery process alongside those displaced, we also distributed relief supplies and provided assistance through recovery planning and casework.
Following the start of Alaska’s wildfire season on April 1, the Red Cross of Alaska:
• Opened 7 evacuation centers and overnight shelters.
To find open shelters during future disasters and to stay up-to-date with 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts, you can download the free bilingual Red Cross Emergency App by texting GETEMERGENCY to 90999 or search “Red Cross Emergency” in your mobile phone app store.
• Provided 502 overnight stays in Red Cross emergency shelters for those displaced by the wildfires.
• Served more than 3,485 meals and snacks to those displaced, in addition to the meals and snack served in our shelters by partners like the Salvation Army and the Upper Susitna Food Pantry.
• Made nearly 500 disaster health and mental health contacts to provide health services, first aid and emotional care to those affected by the fires.
• Distributed more than 623 personal hygiene and disaster clean-up kits to those who needed them. Personal hygiene kits include items like shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes, and disaster clean-up kits include items like shovels, brooms, gloves, sifters, masks and more.
• Mobilized 149 disaster workers to assist those affected, and trained an additional 26 Red Cross workers to provide assistance during this summer’s fires and during future disasters in their communities.
Volunteers comprise more than 90 percent of the Red Cross disaster workforce and make it possible for us to respond every year to an average of more than 62,000 disasters — most of which are home fires. After large disasters, the Red Cross first depends on pre-trained volunteers to travel to the disaster zone to help people in need. Those who are interested in getting trained to volunteer should visit redcross.org/volunteer.
• Sat down one-on-one with 32 individuals and families to create individualized recovery plans. Red Cross caseworkers connect with those affected to create recovery plans, navigate complex paperwork and locate help from other agencies. Recovery casework can help in both the immediate aftermath of a disaster and with longer-term recovery needs.
About the American Red Cross of Alaska:
In Fiscal Year 2019, the American Red Cross of Alaska responded to 435 disasters by offering food, shelter, relief supplies, comfort, hope and recovery services to 1,096 Alaskans in 50 communities statewide. Our preparedness teams installed 2,171 free smoke alarms and educated 1,409 youth through The Pillowcase Project. Our Training Services department enrolled 19,665 students in first aid/CPR/AED, aquatics and caregiving classes. Our Service to the Armed Forces staff exchanged 1,299 emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. In Fiscal Year 2019, our statewide workforce of 729 volunteers logged 40,735 hours in service to our mission and their fellow Alaskans. For more information, please visit redcross.org/Alaska or visit us on Twitter at @redcrossak.
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