/ Headquarters
100 East 4th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone (907) 267-4936 / Fax (907) 267-4977 /
Ethan Berkowitz
Mayor / Denis LeBlanc
Fire Chief
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: John W. See – 267-4999
July 8, 2015
The Anchorage Fire Department (AFD) is rescinding the Municipal-wide burn closure, effective at 9:00 a.m. Alaska Daylight Savings Time, today. Although precipitation over the past two days has helped to lower the immediate fire danger, there is a chance that a return to warm and dry weather conditions could necessitate a reinstatement of the more stringent closure. “We are asking the public to work with us on this approach”, remarked AFD Deputy Operations Chief, Jim Vignola. We want to allow residents to enjoy open fires, providing that we can do it under safe fire danger conditions.
Before building a fire, please call the AFD burn hotline at 267-5020 to ensure that it is a burn day. If is not a burn day, campfires are not allowed, however, personal use propane, electric, charcoal grills and fish smokers, as well as fires in enclosed devices with a spark arrestor, such as a Chiminea or portable fireplace will be allowed as long as they are at least 12 inches above the ground and at least 15 feet from combustible surfaces. These devices lower the risk of an escaped fire by preventing embers from starting new fires. All permanent fire pits and grills located at recreational sites within the Municipality are also permitted.
Please refer to the AFD safe burning guidelines, including; picking a safe spot to build a fire; extinguishing fires “dead out” when you are done; never leaving a fire unattended; having the proper tools on hand when building a fire; and putting all fires out if winds increase in your area. “We have had an extraordinary run with our warm and dry weather and the vegetation beneath the forest canopy is still very dry in some areas”, AFD Operations Chief Jim Vignola added. AFD is encouraging the public to continue using good judgment by following the safe burning guidelines. “We would like to extend our thanks to the public for the cooperation you have provided during this recent period of extreme fire danger” Vignola added. Please be safe!
As a reminder, personal use fireworks are illegal in the Municipality of Anchorage at all times during the year and their use is particularly dangerous during this dry fire season.
Daily Burn Approval information can be obtained by calling 267-5020 or online by visiting: http://afd.muni.org/IsTodayaBurnDay/tabid/61/Default.aspx
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