Helge Eng, the State Forester for the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection issued an Emergency Burn Closure Order, which goes into effect Friday night, July 1, at 11:59 p.m. The closure order restricts all burning that requires a local or state burn permit, including uncontained cooking, warming, and signaling fires.
Activities prohibited under the order include burning in burn barrels; burning large- and small-scale debris piles; lawn burning; commercial and agriculture burns; and burning in non-commercially manufactured incinerators. Uncontained cooking, warming, or signaling fires, including backcountry campfires are also prohibited.
Cooking or warming fires contained inside a steel ring or other non-flammable device such as a charcoal grill, are allowed, according to the Division of Forestry.
The order covers all state, private, and municipal lands within several boroughs across the state, including the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the Matanuska Susitna Borough, the Denali Borough, the Fairbanks North Star Borough, the cities of Delta Junction and Tok and their surrounding areas as well as the Copper River basin and surrounding areas. Kodiak Island Borough is not included in this Emergency Burn Closure.
Alaska is experiencing ongoing dry conditions, which are predicted to continue. These conditions have led to numerous large, uncontained wildfires in the state. The Emergency Burn Closure Order is being issued to keep people safe and help prevent human-caused fires.
In cooperation with the Division of Forestry, the Alaska State Fire Marshal’s Office implemented an immediate suspension on the use of fireworks across much of the state. Made in accordance with Alaska Administrative Code 50.025 Fire Code, the suspension will remain in effect for several areas:
- Kenai Peninsula Borough
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Denali Borough
- Fairbanks NorthStar Borough
- The areas in and around Delta Junction, Tok, and the upper Tanana Valley
- Copper River Basin Area
Additionally, Gorilla Fireworks, based in Houston announced that they have been closed since April and after discussions with city and fire officials, they will remain closed through the Fourth of July weekend.
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