Anchorage Fire Department s3

Anchorage Fire Department

For Immediate Release: Sue Rodman, Forester April 28, 2006 (907) 267-4902

Dry Conditions Do Not Allow 10-day Open Burn Period This Spring; Fire Department Soon to Rollout Improved Burn Permit Options

Citing the fire danger in the Municipality and around the state, Fire Chief Craig Goodrich indicated present dry conditions will not allow the customary 10-day open burn period this spring.

There are still options for residents to burn or dispose of their brush. Currently, residents living inside of the Anchorage Bowl can request spruce beetle burn permits which allow them to burn spruce trees and limbs. Residents living outside of the Bowl, from Eagle River north to Eklutna and along the Turnagain Arm, can request a spring clean-up permit valid through May 31st. This allows for the burning of trees and brush in addition to spruce. To obtain a permit, please call the AFD Burn Hotline at 267-5020 between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:30 pm.

The current fire danger may appear low due to the rain and cool weather. However, the dry tall grasses are the true fire carrier. These grasses dry out within a few hours after rain and can spread fire to our woodlands. The windy conditions serve to dry the grass and then help spread a fire. In many of the upland areas, the trees are still not taking up water, leaving them dry and vulnerable to fire.

AFD is in the process of modifying the burn permit types to give residents greater flexibility in burning small amounts of trees and brush. The new permits will allow residents inside and outside of the Bowl to burn trees and brush in addition to spruce, all year long. Also, burn permits will be available online. AFD will announce these changes when the system is completed, expected in approximately 3 weeks.

The Anchorage Wood Lot is open everyday, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Location is the same as last year: just north of the intersection at C Street and O’Malley Road. It is operated by the Anchorage Soil & Water Conservation District (www.aswcd.org).

On May 12th, the Anchorage Regional Landfill will open its wood lot in Eagle River on Fridays and Saturdays between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Both wood lots are open through the summer.

Firewise information is available at www.muni.org/fire and on Municipal Cable Channel 10. Prepare your home now, wildfire season has already begun! ####