With snow still on the ground, the end of winter might seem a ways off, but the Alaska Division of Forestry is looking ahead to this year's wildland fire season and reminding residents that burn permits are required starting Thursday. On April 1, permits are required for anyone burning materials including brush piles, burn barrels, maintained lawns and agricultural burning, according to a Wednesday press release from the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. Burn permits are free, and can be picked up in person from regional Division of Forestry offices in in Delta Junction, Fairbanks, Glennallen, Haines, Ketchikan, Palmer, Soldotna and Tok. They can also be obtained from local fire departments, or printed off online. Division of Forestry Information Officer Tim Mowry said he knows Alaskans are eager to see winter come to an end and the snow to melt, but he urged caution as spring approaches.