Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection announces early start of fire season

Earlier this week the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection announced an early start to this year’s fire season. Rising concerns around low snowfall and warmer temperatures mean much of southern Alaska’s fire season will start March 17th rather than April 1st.

The change will impact the Mat-Su area, Kenai-Kodiak area, McGrath-Southwest area, Copper River-Valdez area, and all of Southeast Alaska. As part of the earlier start to the fire season, residents will need to obtain burn permits earlier than usual.

According to Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection Information Officer Lily Coyle, the change is about encouraging people to be fire-conscious. She said many wildfires start when a small-scale burn gets out of hand, and requiring a burn permit earlier is a way to keep people educated and aware of potential fire risks.

Coyle added many local fire stations have paper copies of burn permits, or they can be found on the department website.

The change goes into effect Monday, March 17th.