The Alaska Department of Natural Resources reports that the Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak Island will begin a burn suspension beginning on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. The burn-suspension will prohibit all burning requiring a permit, both large and small scale. This includes the use of burn barrels, lawn burning, and burning of brush piles.
Due to a lack of precipitation and windy conditions, much of the area has become highly susceptible to debris burns escaping and spreading from their intended area. Weather forecasts predict this drying trend to continue for both the Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak Island.
The Department of Natural Resources requests the public to check previous areas of burned debris piles for ‘holdovers,’ to ensure no heat remains. Fire can continue to burn underground through duff layers and roots systems for months, only to resurface, and spark a wildfire.
Small campfires less than three feet in diamieter are still allowed but must be in an area with a sufficient fuel break, water nearby, and in attendance until full extinguishment.