The State Forester announced yesterday that all open fires are now banned in Southcentral Alaska, including the Kenai Peninsula, Municipality of Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Due to past and prevailing weather conditions which have caused extremely dry conditions for the Kenai Peninsula, the Alaska Division of Forestry and the State Forester determined that it is necessary to prohibit the use of all open fires and activities which unduly increase the fire danger.

Effective immediately and continuing until further notice all cooking, warming, signaling fires or any type of fire (specifically covered under the burning permit regulations 11 AAC 95.400 – 11 AAC 95.490 and 11 AAC 95.900) are prohibited on state lands, including state park units, and private and municipal lands within Game Management Units 7, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

“The term ‘open fires’ refers to any flame source not immediately extinguishable or controllable and applies to any form of wood or charcoal-based fire, even in established fire rings,” the Department of Natural Resources said in a press release. “Gas grills, backpacking or camp stoves using fuel or compressed canisters which can be regulated and shut off are still permitted for use.”

Wildland fire managers ask visitors and residents to follow the fire prohibitions and prevent additional fire starts.

Failure to obey this order shall constitute grounds for prosecution pursuant to AS 41.15.140

Map of Game Management Units can be found at:

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/hunting/maps/gmumaps/jpg/ak_simple_950.jpg