Campfires are prohibited outside of developed recreation facilities on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Alaska State Parks on the western Kenai Peninsula, effective immediately, as a result of elevated fire danger and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Alaska’s wildland firefighting resources. This closure will be in effect until further notice.
The western portion of the Kenai Peninsula received below average precipitation in May, and daily fire danger indices have consistently risen to high or very high in these areas.
The closure is in effect on the following public lands on the Kenai Peninsula:
- Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
- All Kenai Peninsula State Park lands with some exceptions, noted below.
This campfire closure is not applicable within Kachemak Bay State Park, State Wilderness Park, and all Resurrection Bay State Parks.
Open campfires are allowed in Refuge and State Park campgrounds and at public use cabins within enclosed metal fire grates or designated fire rings that are provided at these recreational facilities. Use of cooking stoves and gas grills is also allowed.
Residents and visitors are asked to be vigilant about managing their campfires. It is imperative to keep campfires small and manageable, not to leave any campfire unattended, ensure that fires are completely out before leaving, and use appropriate caution with anything that could ignite a fire.