State forestry departments have already issued red flag warning in Mat-Su and a busy fire season has been predicted for this summer.
Paul Pelligrini with the division of forestry said responsible debris burning is the best way to combat potential fire dangers.
Pelligrini: “Most of our fires are human caused on the Kenai and most of them have two main causes and the biggest is debris burning. So we’re really trying to encourage people if you choose to have a controlled burn or what we call an open burn around your house then be sure to follow the rules on the burn permit. You have to get a burn permit starting April 1 but even if you burn between now and then you have to follow all the rules and we’ve shown that if you follow those rules the chances of having one of the fires that you light escape diminish greatly so it’s a really successful program if you just follow the rules.”
With conditions as they are now Pelligrini said there is the possibility of a Funny River Fire repeat.
Burn permits will be available as of April 1 through forestry and city fire departments.
