Local firefighters to conduct exercise on UAF campus

May 17, 2019

Firefighters from four local fire agencies will be on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus on Tuesday, May 21, from 5-9 p.m. for a wildland firefighting exercise.

The exercise will not involve any fire. It will simulate an incident where a wildfire is threatening structures. About 20 fire vehicles and 40 fire personnel will be on campus for the exercise.

Most of the exercise activities will take place on the north side of campus. North Tanana Drive will be closed for the duration of the exercise from Kuskokwim Way, near Hess Village, to Sheenjek Drive, near the State Virology Lab. Toklat Way, which is behind the Reichardt Building, will also be closed.

In addition to the closed roads, members of the public and campus community may notice increased activity in the area, including firefighters in wooded areas and near buildings, and multiple fire vehicles staged along the roads or in parking lots nearby. Fire vehicles will also be staging at the parking lot across from the Patty Center.