RESOLUTION 06-14

A RESOLUTION OF THE HOMER CITY COUNCIL REQUESTING THAT THE ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE AMEND ALASKA STATUTE 41.14.050 TO CHANGE THE FIRE SEASON START DATE FROM MAY 1 TO APRIL 1 OF EACH YEAR.

WHEREAS, The Division of Forestry is the lead agency responsible for wild land fire protection in the Homer area, and

WHEREAS, State-wide climatic changes in recent years have resulted in warmer, drier weather starting earlier in the season, and

WHEREAS, These conditions have produced dry wild land fuels earlier in the year and increased the length and severity of the wild land fire threat, and

WHEREAS, The Spruce Bark Beetle infestation has increased the risk of wild land fire due to the number of dead and dying trees and the presence finer wildfire fuels, and

WHEREAS, Population growth in the Homer area has substantially increased the threat from wild land fires in the “interface” zone which endangers homes and personal property, and

WHEREAS, Starting the Fire Season on April 1 will allow the Division of Forestry to hire wild land fire personnel and mobilize resources earlier in the year so they are available by the start of the Fire Season, and

WHEREAS, Having these resources immediately available may reduce the overall cost to the State for wild land firefighting each year.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Homer City Council hereby requests that the Alaska Legislature amend Alaska Statute 41.14.050 to change the Fire Season from May 1 to April 1 of each year.

PASSED AND APPROVED by the Homer City Council this 13^th day of February, 2006.

CITY OF HOMER

JAMES C. HORNADAY, MAYOR

ATTEST

MARY L. CALOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: No Direct Cost to the City