Last updated: February 3, 2021
Article
East Meets West: Active Fuels Management Collaboration in Wrangell-St. Elias
Each year, an average of 460 fires burn nearly one million acres in Alaska. While fire is a natural part of the boreal forest, protecting infrastructure and valued fire sensitive resources is an important part of the National Park Service (NPS) fire program.
![WRST HQ 2020 BuckingLog 3 people - NPS Photo Three firefighters cut felled trees with a chainsaw and carry off debris.](/articles/000/images/WRST-HQ-2020-BuckingLog-3-people-NPS-Photo_Edit.png)
NPS
![Wildland firefighter loading woody debris Close-up of firefighter loading limbs onto a trailer.](/articles/000/images/WRST-HQ_2020-Hauling-slash_NPS_Mork_2020-06-01_edit.jpg?maxwidth=650&autorotate=false)
NPS
The crews faced additional challenges this season to follow COVID-19 mitigation methods. The two crews camped separately, drove assigned vehicles, and kept their camps and equipment sanitized. A perk after a long day of hard work was getting to enjoy fresh Copper River salmon while camping along the Gulkana River. All in all, when East met West… it turned out be a fun, productive project, and crew members gained great chainsaw experience through the mentorship of their leaders and fellow crew members.
![Bucking and limbing trees Two wildland firefighters use chainsaws to cut down and chop up evergreen trees.](/articles/000/images/WRST-HQ-2020-Bucking-and-limbing-down-tree-NPS_Edit.jpg?maxwidth=650&autorotate=false)
NPS
![WRST HQ 2020 BuckingLog 3 people - NPS Photo_Edit Two wildland firefighters haul limbs to a trailer.](/articles/000/images/WRST-HQ-2020-Dragging-Brush-to-Truck-NPS-Photo_edit.png)
NPS