Wildfires have long shaped Alaska’s ecosystems, but in recent years, they have grown larger and more destructive. These fires now pose increasing threats to remote communities and areas where homes meet forests, known as the wildland-urban interface (WUI). To lower these risks, land managers use fuel treatments, which involve thinning or clearing vegetation to slow the spread of fire. Tracking where these treatments have occurred and measuring their effectiveness over time remains challenging because information is often scattered or outdated.

This project combines field photos, GPS data, and modern mapping tools such as ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online to create accurate and current maps of fuel treatment areas. These maps are integrated with wildfire history and vegetation information to better understand how treatments influence fire behavior and landscape conditions. The results include interactive web maps and geospatial databases that give fire managers and local communities practical tools to plan and prioritize future work. By connecting field observations with digital mapping, this project supports stronger wildfire preparedness and planning across Alaska.