Who We Are: Fire Contacts

Camp boards such as the one pictured here is common on fires. Outpouring support from the communities help keep firefighter morale high. Many wildfires have staff from various agencies.

NPS photo/D. Coble

Wildland Fire Pages

• Interagency Partners
• Policy and Planning
• Wildland Fire Home

The National Park Service manages wildland fire to protect the public; park communities and infrastructure; conserve natural and cultural resources; and maintain and restore natural ecosystems and processes. The risks and expenses associated with planning and implementing fire management activities require exceptional skill and attention to detail. - National Park Service Director‘s Orders #18 Wildland Fire Management

The Alaska National Park Service Fire Management Program is comprised of regional staff and two area programs. Positions include leadership, regional specialists, forestry technicians, helicopter managers, assistants and support personnel.

Alaska Regional Wildland Fire Management Program Staff

The Alaska Regional Fire Management Officer, based in Anchorage, oversees fire management responsibilities in: 
Aniakchak National Monument
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Katmai National Park and Preserve
Kenai Fjords National Park
Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park
Sitka National Historic Park

 

Regional Fire Management Officer
Chuck Russell
National Park Service
Interior Region 11-Alaska
240 W. 5th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501
[phone]

Deputy Regional Fire Management Officer
Alaska Coastal Area Fire Management Officer
Larry Weddle
National Park Service
Interior Region 11-Alaska
4175 Geist Rd
Fairbanks, AK 99709
[phone]

Regional Fire GIS Specialist
Brian Sorbel
National Park Service
Interior Region 11-Alaska
240 W. 5th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501
[phone]

Regional Fire Planner
Casey O'Connor
National Park Service
Interior Region 11-Alaska
[phone]

Fire Weather Program Managers
Heidi Strader
Alaska Interagency Coordination Center
BLM Dept. #311
P.O. Box 35005
Ft. Wainwright, AK 99703
[phone]

Eric Stevens
Alaska Interagency Coordination Center
BLM Dept. #311
P.O. Box 35005
Ft. Wainwright, AK 99703
[phone]

Regional Fire Ecologist
Jennifer Barnes 
4175 Geist Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709
[phone]

Assistant Regional Fire Ecologist
Jennifer McMillan
4175 Geist Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709
[phone]

Regional Fire Budget Specialist
Susanna Nancarrow
Denali National Park and Preserve
P.O. Box 9
Denali Park, AK 99755
[phone]

Fire Communication & Education Specialist
Caron McKee
National Park Service
Interior Region 11-Alaska
240 W. 5th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501
[phone]

Western Area Fire Management

Western Area Fire Management, based in Denali National Park and Preserve, oversees fire management responsibilities in: 
Denali National Park and Preserve, 
Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, 
Cape Krusenstern National Monument, 
Kobuk Valley National Park, 
Noatak National Preserve, 
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve.

Western Area Fire Management Officer (Acting)
Keith Mitchell
Denali National Park and Preserve
P.O. Box 9
Denali Park, AK 99755
[phone]

Western Area Assistant Fire Management Officer
Keith Mitchell
Denali National Park and Preserve
P.O. Box 9
Denali Park, AK 99755
[phone]

Western Area Fire Helicopter Manager
Vacant
Denali National Park and Preserve
P.O. Box 9
Denali Park, AK 99755
[phone]

Western Area Fire Program Management Assistant
Carrie Skinner
Denali National Park and Preserve
P.O. Box 9
Denali Park, AK 99755
[phone]

Eastern Area Fire Management

Eastern Area Fire Management has offices in Fairbanks and is responsible for fire activities in: 
Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, 
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, 
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.

Eastern Area Fire Management Officer
Jason Devcich
National Park Service
Fairbanks Administrative Center
4175 Geist Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709
[phone]

Eastern Area Assistant Fire Management Officer
Vacant
National Park Service
Fairbanks Administrative Center
4175 Geist Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709
[phone]

Eastern Area Fire Helicopter Manager
Justin Stramer-Smith
National Park Service
Fairbanks Administrative Center
4175 Geist Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709
[phone]

Eastern Area Assistant Fire Helicopter Manager
Chad Leshuk
National Park Service
Fairbanks Administrative Center
4175 Geist Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709
[phone]

Eastern Area Fire Program Management Assistant
Amy Carr
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve
4175 Geist Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709
[phone]

Although duties are delineated between the region and area programs, the entire program works as a team. Area programs support the region and region supports the area programs.

Interagency Partners

Our Interagency Partners