In some parts of Alaska, summer is wildfire season, an annual situation that inspired Girl Scout Troop 210 in Soldotna to invent what are known as bucket trees.

“It's a bucket lending station for those who can get the buckets to safely put out the fire,” said Caitlyn Eskelin, a member of Girl Scout Troop 210.

The girls began designing the buckets in 2022 after the friendly fire incident burned nearly 200,000 acres of land on the Kenai Peninsula.

“There were fires like the wildfires that were caused by human intervention, particularly the Funny River Fire in 2014. People had to get to safety,” Eskelin said.

The bucket trees are currently in use at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, as buckets will be available at many campgrounds across the state by the end of the year.

The girls recently won the President's Environmental Youth Award in a competition, which will be presented to them in Washington, DC. The girls are very happy about this.

“We weren't expecting this at all. We were just expecting to get our silver award and then it would be over,” said Kadie Newkirk, a member of Girl Scout Troop 210.

However, there is a possibility that the trip may not take place due to financial reasons.

“The cost of the flight is about $1,500 to $2,000, and for some the hotel room is about $2,000,” said Leah Eskelin, troop leader of Girl Scout Troop 210.

The Girl Scout troop started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the trip to Washington, DC.

“It’s an opportunity to understand how laws and governments work,” says Eskelin.