Fireweed is the first thing to pop up in the soil after a wildfire. It can stand between 3-6 feet tall and has a rose, pink or purple color to it. It is found throughout much of Alaska and in temperate forests throughout the northern hemisphere. Although not the Alaska State Flower, it is the most popular flower in Alaska. Fireweed flowers from the bottom up and Alaska Native legends tell the story that when the fireweed reaches the top, summer is over. We can see in this photo that summer is more than halfway over.