Starting today burn permits will be required, according to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. The memo states that the State of Alaska Division of Forestry Small- and Large-Scale burn permits are required on all state, municipal, and private land where a local burn permit program doesn’t exist. Burn permits are required by law during Alaska’s fire season from April 1st through August 31st, and at other times of the year as designated by the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources.
Small Scale Burn Permits are required for burn barrels, burning a maintained lawn of less than 1 acre, and a brush pile of organic material not exceeding 10 feet in diameter by 4 feet in height. Large Scale Burn Permits are required for any burning of wooded debris that exceeds the size and/or complexity of the Small Scale Burn Permit including agricultural parcels, land clearing, logging operations, and contractor certification burning.
Other regulations include campfires, warming and signal fires less than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height don’t require a Burn Permit. They, however, must comply with local laws and Alaska Wildland Fire Protection Statutes and Regulations. Alaska Wildland Fire protection laws apply year round and safe burning guidelines need to be followed even when permits aren’t required. Several boroughs and cities in Alaska maintain their own Burn Permit ordinances and programs that don’t require a state issued Burn Permit. Landowners are responsible for checking with their local government and/or fire department to determine if there are local permitting requirements or burning restrictions in place.
Among those areas that do require a permit from April 1st through August 31st are the Kenai and Kodiak areas. For further information click here. Or contact the Kenai/Kodiak Area Forestry office at 907-260-4200.
