In the 49th state, wildfire suppression is a bit different than in the Lower 48. This second episode dedicated to the Alaska Fire Service (AFS) featuring Ray Crowe, A.J. Gavin, and Ryan McPherson, focuses on wildfire suppression operations in the Land of the Midnight Sun. Ray Crowe, Acting Branch Chief of Fire Operations and Alaska Native, talks about his career with AFS and the specialized positions used to fight wildfires in Alaska. Beginning on the BLM AFS's training crew, the North Star fire crew, Ray talks about working his way up to Alaska Interagency Coordination Center Manager, challenging himself personally and professionally. Smokejumper A.J. Gavin discusses the complexities of fire suppression in Alaska from the essential paracargo and boat programs for firefighter support to the use of the customized tool called the “beater” to extinguish tundra fires. Ryan McPherson, Aviation Management Specialist, talks about his career flight path along with the challenges and importance of aviation use in Alaska. Being an “air attack,” requires flexibility to coordinate air space over wildland fires, manage radio communication with multiple aircraft and firefighters, and perform aerial reconnaissance of the overall fire situation in a vast landscape. In all, Alaska Fire Service is a small, complex organization working within a tight knit community. Learn more about AFS at blm.gov/alaskafireservice. 

Full link if you can add it in: https://www.blm.gov/programs/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/alaska-fire-service