Burning permits for Mat-Su and Fairbanks suspended due to persistent heat

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Due to heat and dry conditions in parts of Alaska, fire burning permits have been suspended in Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Fairbanks. Open fires are prohibited in Anchorage.

Fire permits in the Mat-Su were suspended at 6 a.m. Saturday by the state Division of Forestry and Fire Protection. Given above-average temperatures, adverse weather conditions and dry weather, the suspension will continue until further notice. Any permitted fire must continue to be monitored as fires can spread quickly this time of year.

The suspension prohibits fires in burn barrels, debris piles and grass fires. Campfires less than 3 feet in diameter are permitted only for warming, signaling or cooking.

“Campfires still require adequate distance from flammable materials and supervision until the fire is cool enough,” Mat-Su officials said. “Any permitted fire, even a small one, should be lit with extreme caution and vigilance at this time of year.”

A suspension of fire burning permits has been in effect in Fairbanks, Salcha and the Railbelt for just over a week now. This suspension is expected to remain in place until the weather improves.

Nine wildfires have broken out in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of fires in the state in 2024 to 229 and burning over 125,000 acres. The largest fire remains the McDonald wildfire.

Below is the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center’s map of wildfires in Alaska.

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