A map shows active fires around the state of Alaska on Friday, July 1, 2022. (Screenshot from Alaska Wildland Fire Information Map)

Fire danger prompts restrictions on burning, fireworks

There were 160 fires in Alaska as of Thursday, and of those 17 were staffed with fire personnel

Increased fire danger across much of Alaska caused by warmer weather and limited precipitation have prompted restrictions across the state.

The state has instituted an immediate firework suspension across much of Alaska ahead of the holiday weekend, according to a Thursday advisory from the Department of Public Safety.

The suspension is in effect until further notice in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, as well as the Matanuska-Susitna, Denali and Fairbanks boroughs, and the Delta Junction, Tok, upper Tanana Valley, and Copper River Basin areas.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

There were 160 fires in Alaska as of Thursday, and of those 17 were staffed with fire personnel, the Department of Public Safety reported. More than 1.6 million acres have already burned this season, the department said.

“The weather forecast over much of the state for this holiday weekend will keep fire danger high,” State Fire Marshal Richard Boothby said in the advisory. “With much of the wildland firefighting personnel and assets already assigned to fires burning in the state, we can’t take any chances of more human-caused fires. We want everyone to have a safe holiday weekend.”

Wildfire responders are at preparedness level 5, the release said, which is the highest level in the Alaska Preparedness Plan. Level 5 also often indicates that most initial and extended resources are already assigned to existing and new fires.

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Air Quality also issued an air quality advisory for the whole Southcentral region Tuesday, due to smoke produced by wildfires west of Mount Iliamna. The central peninsula was hazy Tuesday and smokey Wednesday, but otherwise less affected than other places in Southcentral. That air quality advisory expired at 2 p.m. Friday.

Burn orders

Citing ongoing dry conditions, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday an emergency burn closure order. The order, which went into effect on Friday night at 11:59 p.m., affects the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the Mat-Su Borough, the Denali Borough, the Fairbanks North Star Borough, the cities of Delta Junction and Tok and the Copper River basin.

“Our state is experiencing ongoing dry conditions, which are predicted to continue,” a department release said. “These conditions have led to numerous large, uncontained wildfires in Alaska.”

The order restricts all burning that requires a permit, such as uncontained cooking and warming or signaling fires. Burning in burn barrels, burning debris piles and lawn burning are among the activities prohibited under the order. Cooking fires contained in a steel ring are allowed.

The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Friday restricted all campfires in response to the high fire danger. Effective immediately, open campfires are restricted to designated campgrounds or cabins with enclosed metal grates or designated fire rings provided at developed recreational facilities, the refuge said. The use of cooking stoves and gas grills is allowed.

Reach reporters Camille Botello and Ashlyn O’Hara at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com and ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

John Raymond accepts his tenth place trophy during the 2025 Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Deep Water Dock on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Weimann wins fishing tournament championship

The 31st annual Homer Winter King Tournament saw high turnout Saturday.

The Naushon sits in the Homer Harbor during its decommissioning ceremony on Friday, March 21, 2025, on Freight Dock Road on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Former USCG cutter Naushon decommissioned in Homer

A ceremony in its honor was held Friday, March 21.

Students smile from atop a mountain peak while engaged in KMTA’s Pathfinders program. The program fosters environmental literacy and lifelong learning using an experiential, inquiry-based teaching model and helps expose students to the rich histories, environments and recreation opportunities available in the KMTA. (Photo courtesy of KMTA)
Kenai Peninsula heritage area faces uncertain future

Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area is known for its expansive program offerings for Alaska youth.

Students and hosts stand for a photo during a luncheon at the end of SoHi’s first Job Shadow Day, Wednesday at Soldotna Prep School. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna High launches 1st Job Shadow Day

SoHi students spread across community on Wednesday to try out professions.

Delana Green teaches music to kindergarteners at Tustumena Elementary School in Kasilof on Friday, March 21. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Bringing back music education

Tustumena Elementary students get lessons from Artist-in-residence Delana Green.

“Salmon Champions” present their ideas for projects to protect salmon habitat during the Local Solution meeting at the Cook Inletkeeper Community Action Studio in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Cook Inletkeeper program to focus on salmon habitat awareness

The project seeks local solutions to environmental issues.

Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, participates in a candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI 890 AM at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Vance calls on board of fish to clarify stance on Cook Inlet commercial fisheries

One board member said he wanted to see no setnets or drifters operating in the inlet at all.

Cars drive past the building where the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. is headquartered on Sept. 21, 2023. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire file photo)
Deadline approaches to apply for PFD

Applications can be filed online through myAlaska, or by visiting pfd.alaska.gov.

Most Read