Fire season marks the time of year when dryer conditions spark a higher risk of fires. The standard start date for wildland fire season is normally April 1, according to Alaska state statute. But for communities without much snow right now, it’s already here.
The state issued a public order on March 5 declaring an early start to fire season in parts of Alaska — including all of Southeast, which is mostly a rainforest. Other affected areas include much of Southwest and Southcentral Alaska.
“This is the first time we’ve had to do an early fire season just because of how early the snow melted off in parts of Alaska,” said Lily Coyle with the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Fire managers are starting the season a few weeks earlier than usual because dry or warm weather conditions and low to no snowpack means a higher risk of wildland fires happening.
Coyle said it’s been a “visibly early season” — the dead grass and brush normally seen in May is already exposed. She said Alaska’s wildland firefighters have been preparing for fire season all winter.
“It is here earlier than we’re used to seeing it … there’s already been a couple of responses in the Mat-Su and Kenai areas,” Coyle said. “But we do just really need the public’s help and support right now and doing everything they can to be careful, be cautious and prevent human-caused fires.”
The season officially began on March 17, coming with burn permit requirements.
Coyle said burn permits are an educational tool for preventing fires and protecting Alaskans. People with burn permits call the state’s hotline to check on the fire risk level for their area and learn if daily conditions allow for burning.
Some communities have alternatives for when burning isn’t an option, like dropping off woody debris at a local disposal site. In Petersburg, baler standard fees for wood waste are $0.075 per pound, or free for nonprofits and the borough.
Burn permits are free and available from the state or through some municipalities. Residents in Petersburg can apply for a permit on the local borough website but residents outside of Service Area 1 will need to file with the state.
“You don’t need to return [the burn permit] to anybody, but you need to have it signed and dated, just acknowledging that you contacted that hotline number and that you are following those guidelines,” Coyle explained.
Coyle said the state can issue warnings and citations for noncompliance. Alaskans are warned to be extra careful during the season, whether recreating or doing yard work.
Burn permits are required in Alaska until fire season closes on Aug. 31. They can be downloaded online from forestry.alaska.gov/burn.
