With extremely dry conditions persisting across much of Alaska, wildland fire managers are asking the public to be mindful of the potential for wildfires during Memorial Day weekend.
“For many Alaskans, Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer,” Alaska Division of Forestry Wildland Fire & Aviation Program Manager Norm McDonald said. “We know lots of people are going to be out camping, hiking, boating, barbecuing and enjoying other forms of recreation over the holiday weekend. We just ask them to be extremely careful when it comes to the potential for starting wildfires.”
A burn permit suspension implemented by the Alaska Division of Forestry on May 1 remains in effect on state, private and municipal lands for all of the state with the exception of Southeast Alaska. The suspension prohibits the use of burn barrels, burning of brush piles and burning of lawns.