In a time where a statewide burn ban has been issued and firefighters are battling blazes across Alaska, the Division of Forestry is also on the verge of making cutbacks.
This upcoming fiscal year’s budget cuts will be felt within the Division of Forestry.
Senator Peter Micciche said that does not mean less response for wildland fires in times like these, Alaskans’ safety will always come first.
Sen. Micciche: “I’ve spent a lot of time working with the fire service and the most important thing for me for guys that are out there and the women out there risking their lives to keep us safe is that they have the very best training, that they’re fairly compensated, and that they have the very best equipment that they need while they’re out there risking their lives for us. So it’s very important that we keep an eye on it and if they’ve been cut to the point that it compromises thei safety that’s something we need to reevaluate in the future.”
He added the fire response really has no relationship to budget cuts as responses to fires can be paid for in supplemental budgets.
Andy Alexandrou in Soldotna’s Division of Forestry said the State Forester made a visit this week and is currently in the process of deciding how to cut the division’s funding.
Alexandrou: “As of July 1, it doesn’t affect the Soldotna area too much but state-wide there’s multiple people getting their pink slips, or notice of getting laid off.”