(Palmer, AK) – Alaska’s wildland fire season officially began on April 1, and Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DOF) burn permits are now required on all State, municipal, and private lands that do not have a local burn permit program in effect.
The small-scale burn permits are good for burning one brush pile, using one burn barrel, or burning a maintained lawn. Large-scale permitting is available for any burning not covered under the small-scale permit and has more stringent requirements, which may include a site inspection, additional people to monitor the burn, and available water and/or heavy equipment.
Brush pile burning and the use of burn barrels are two of the leading sources of human-caused wildland fires in Alaska each year. Just a few short hours of sunlight on dead grass and brush exposed in yards after the snow melts makes them extremely flammable fuels. Grass fires spread rapidly in Alaska’s spring winds and can cause damage to structures, homes, equipment, and other infrastructure. Unextinguished hot embers and ash piles can thaw the ground and burn down into root systems, mulch, and moss – and rekindle in later weeks when hot, dry weather settles in.
“Most early-season fires the state responds to in April and May are human-caused and preventable,” said Division of Forestry & Fire Protection Deputy Director for Fire Protection Norm McDonald. “If people take time to learn about safe burning practices and follow the guidelines on their burn permits, it will help reduce the threat of wildfires to Alaskan homes, properties, and communities.”
The free DOF small-scale permits can be printed online from https://dnr.alaska.gov/burn and are also available at local State DOF offices in Delta Junction, Fairbanks, Glennallen, Palmer, Soldotna, and Tok, and through local fire departments.
If you need a large-scale burn permit, contact your nearest DOF office for further instructions: https://forestry.alaska.gov/