Org Unit

Fire

Fire protection is provided (non area-wide) in portions of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough through established Fire Service Areas. In these areas property owners pay an established tax mill levy to receive fire protection. Currently there are 7 functioning fire service areas under DES, each with an advisory board that reviews their department’s annual operating budget and capital improvement project requests. The current active fire service areas are in Butte, Sutton, Greater Palmer Consolidated, Central Mat-Su, West Lakes, Willow-Caswell (consolidated 2025) and Talkeetna. There are also two Cities within the MSB boundaries that each provide fire response to their respective community, Houston and the City of Palmer.

Fire protection includes the response to fire, rescues and related emergency calls, service calls for various types of public assistance, response to Wildland fires, and community fire prevention/public safety education activities. During the summer months, Wildland fire protection is augmented across the borough by the Alaska Division of Forestry. Wildland firefighters will respond to wildfires during the fire season including those outside of the established fire service areas.

It is important to note that many areas within the Borough do not have an established fire service area and therefore do not have a fire department to respond on fires where they live. Residents are encouraged to check their property tax statement and be informed as to whether you live in an area with fire protection provided.