Talk of Alaska: The 2023 wildfire season

A 25-acre wildfire burning in the McHugh Creek drainage south of Anchorage off the Seward Highway in 2016. (Alaska Division of Forestry photo)

2022 was one of Alaska’s worst years for wildfires on record. The following winter saw record-breaking levels of rain and snow around the state. Will that precipitation have an effect on this year’s season, and how is climate change affecting the way we think about fighting wildfires? We’ll discuss the science and preparation for the 2023 wildfire season on this Talk of Alaska.

LISTEN:

HOST: Lori Townsend

GUESTS:

  • Lily Coyle, Public Information Officer, Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection
  • Beth Ipsen, Public Affairs, Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service
  • Eric Stevens, Meteorologist, National Park Service and Alaska Interagency Coordination Center

Resources:

PARTICIPATE:

Call 907-550-8422 (Anchorage) or 1-800-478-8255 (statewide) during the live broadcast.

Send an email to talk@alaskapublic.org (Comments may be read on air).

Post your comment during or after the live broadcast on social media (Comments may be read on air).

LIVE Broadcast: Tuesday, May 9, at 10 a.m. on Alaska public radio stations statewide.

Lori Townsend

Lori Townsend is the chief editor, senior vice president of journalism and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452. Read more about Lori here.

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