The Kenai Peninsula burn suspension has been lifted as of Friday, May 28th, due to the recent and forecasted precipitation. The potential for significant fire growth had decreased significantly as the cooler temperatures and the rain hit the Peninsula over the weekend.
Howie Kent, Kenai/Kodiak Area Fire Management Officer for the Alaska Division of Forestry spoke to KSRM, “We lifted it due to moderating conditions and we’ll keep an eye on that as we move into the week. Looks like we’re going to get a little drier as we go. We’ll reassess that as we go along, but for now, the debris burning is open. People just need to obtain a burn permit prior to burning and then call that number on the front of their burn permit each day and that’ll let them know if it’s a burn day or not and they should be good to go.”
Residents and visitors to the Kenai Peninsula are reminded to place debris piles, burn barrels, and campfires in areas free of adjacent materials that could carry fire. Kent says, “It’s always a good reminder for folks that are having campfires as well to make sure that they have plenty of water on hand and some sort of tools and a bucket so they can get water if need be and have good adequate clearance around their burn area whether it’s campfire or otherwise and stay in attendance at all times. That should keep them from having any kind of escape fire.”
Burn permits are available at local fire departments, various businesses, and online.