WILLOW AREA COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION, INC.
Wildland Fire Information & Resources
Find links to official updates and information about the Deshka and McKinley fires with resources and disaster recovery information.
WACO meetings are the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 PM at the Willow Community Center.
WACO Meetings
WACO Community Meeting
The first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM
Willow Community Center
PLEASE NOTE: The September 4th WACO meeting will be at Willow Elementary School instead of the Community Center.
Latest News
McKinley Fire Recovery Public Meeting: ONE STOP SHOP
The McKinley Fire Recovery Workgroup is sponsoring a public meeting to provide information on recovery and rebuild options to the persons displaced by the McKinley Fire. It will be a one-stop shop with representatives from contractors, volunteer builders, financial assistance, non-profit community organizations, ready to occupy structures, and others.
When: Monday, September 16, 2019 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Susitna Valley High School 42748 S. Parks Highway, Talkeetna.
Call 907 354-6744 for questions.
In an effort to be more transparent and to foster community involvement, the MSB Planning Department posts items scheduled to go before the Planning Commission online. View details of the September 16th meeting and agenda items by going to www.matsugov.us/boards/planningcommission.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough - Planning Commission
The Planning Commission is a body of citizens which serve as an advisory group to the Assembly on issues and activities related to planning land use regulation and community development in general. The Commission also approves a variety of permits. The Planning Commission has seven members who are r...
McKinley Fire – Morning Update, 9/8/2019
Acreage: 3,288 Containment: 95% Personnel: 399 Start Date: 8/17/2019 Burn permit suspensions lifted for Mat-Su Borough today at noon! This does not apply to the Kenai area. Detai…akfireinfo.com/2019/09/02/deshka-landing-fire-update-labor-day-september-2/
Deshka Landing Fire Update, Labor Day – September 2
The containment of the Deshka Landing Fire remains at 95 percent and total acres burned at 1,318. Cooler temperatures and light rain aid firefighters as they systematically move through the fire ar…Thank you all and god Bless
akfireinfo.com/2019/09/01/mckinley-fire-morning-update-09-01-19/
McKinley Fire Morning Update: 09-01-19
Firefighters on the line at McKinley Fire, Photo credit Meshel, Engine crew, Alaska DOF Cooler temperatures and light rain aided firefighters in mop up efforts. There are still many hot areas, main…DONATIONS MANAGEMENT UPDATE: Mat-Su COAD and the United Way have received an overwhelming donations response as we work to assist fire survivors in the Mat-Su Valley. Thank you for your prompt response and generosity!
Due to the high volume of donations, we are no longer in need of the following:
• clothing
• toys
• books
• backpacks/school supplies
• shoes
• bedding, including pillows
• personal hygiene items or toiletries
Community members in need of the above items may still inquire about receiving them at no cost by visiting:
Big Lake Community Clothing Closet (907)775-3238 Frontline Mission (907)357-8600
Montana Creek Baptist Church (907)733-2591
Wasilla Community Church (907)376-1575
Donations of food items are needed as follows:
Upper Susitna Food Pantry
Needs: Men’s boots sizes 13-15; women’s 4X clothing; toiletries; toilet paper; paper towels Food items needed include #10 large cans; ground beef; frozen chicken; ham, bacon or sausage
Willow Community Food Pantry
Needs: razors, soap, shampoos, conditioner, dental hygiene
Food pantries WILL NOT accept items dated 2017 or older.
A semi-permanent donations intake center has been established!
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers
7450 W. Parks Hwy. , Wasilla, AK
Hours will be every Thursday from 10AM-2PM.
Please stop your vehicle and visit our intake station, located at the front gates. Volunteers will be on hand to assist you with unloading your items. Currently, the intake center is accepting:
• winter gear (gloves, hats, snow pants, boots, etc)ems (gently-used only please!)
• winter gear (gloves, hats, snow-pants, boots, etc)
• tools, including for gardening/yard work
Need assistance transporting items? Please call (907)745-5824 or email [email protected]
A financial donation to the organization of your choice is still the most effective way to assist efforts.
Download a pdf flyer with this information here:
www.waco-ak.org/download/40/other/52138/mckinley-donations-update-8-29-2.pdf
Several local organizations need your help to continue the fire relief effort. Pick an organization that matches your interest or skillset and get started here: www.waco-ak.org/download/40/other/52136/mckinley-general-volunteer-info-8-29.pdf
Here is today's McKinley Fire update with links to Disaster Assistance Information from the Mat-Su Borough, State of Alaska, Team Rubicon, Red Cross and more: akfireinfo.com/2019/08/30/mckinley-fire-morning-update-08-30-19/
McKinley Fire Morning Update: 08-30-19
Update – Friday, August 30, 2019 @ 9:00 a.m. Norm McDonald, Incident Commander Acreage: 3,316 Containment: 78% Personnel: 564 Start Date: 8/17/2019 Firefight…View WACO Community Meeting Agenda for September 4th at 7:PM here: www.waco-ak.org/download/9/agendas/52126/agenda_09_2019.pdf PLEASE NOTE: the meeting will be at Willow Elementary School instead of the community center.
Mat-Su Borough District 7 needs candidates to run for the School Board. Filing deadline is this Friday at 5pm.
www.matsugov.us/elections
akfireinfo.com/2019/08/27/hunters-and-campers-take-note-mat-su-borough-burn-closure-includes-larg...
Federal Programs / Families In Transition
Families in Transition (FIT) fulfills MSBSD’s federal requirements by ensuring students in transition have the same access to educational opportunities as other students. By working collaboratively with all MSBSD schools, FIT promotes school stability and academic success for its students.
Per the Alaska State Troopers~
MCKINLEY FIRE/PARKS HIGHWAY UPDATE: Active fire continues in the area between Parks Highway Mileposts 82 and 92.
REMINDER TO MOTORISTS: Be alert for flaggers, fire, and utility crews and observe posted 45 mph speed limit. Troopers are enforcing the reduced speed limit. Violations will result in double fines in this corridor.
local.nixle.com/alert/7496578/?sub_id=10550590
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