Barbecues and capfires OK, caution urged

June 24, 2007

By Hannah Guillaume

Frontiersman

MAT-SU - Firefighters continue to battle a 9,400-acre fire near Trapper Lake while officers issue warnings for open burning suspension violators.

&#8220It's kind of like a fix-it ticket, better not do it again kind-of thing,” said Thomas Greiling, fire prevention officer for the Mat-Su Area Division of Forestry, about citing violators of the area's crack down on open burning. &#8220We want to prevent any additional fires right now. We're asking the public to help in cooperation with that.”

At least 11 written warnings were issued to people who violated one or more of Alaska's nine burn statutes June 19 to 23. Three citations were issued April 1 to June 18.

The number of warnings issued is high for a time when fire danger levels are very high to extreme and there is an open burning suspension, Grelling said. The suspension differs from an all-out burning ban, which would make any flame illegal in the Mat-Su Borough.

Matt Weaver, spokesman for the Division of Forestry, said burning is still permitted in approved enclosures, including barbecues, small campfires, warming and cooking fires. For now, burning trash or lighting up incinerators, piles and barrels with or without screens can result in a $250 to $500 citation plus the cost of suppression with or without a permit. Leaving a fire burning or unsupervised could also result in penalties.

&#8220Folks can have a small campfire if they want to be out in the woods and follow all the rules,” Weaver said said, adding that water should be available for extinguishing any fire that might get out of hand. &#8220You don't want people running to the lake with empty pop cans.”

He said it's good to keep the ground cleared at least 6 feet in either direction around fire centers and never burn in windy conditions.

Despite the high numbers of warnings issued, Weaver said the Valley is doing a good job.

&#8220We haven't had much human-caused fire in the past few days,” he said.

Fire prevention officer Greiling said people can help firefighters by knowing the facts before reporting a fire. It requires more than just seeing smoke and shouting fire.

&#8220I wish people would talk with their neighbors a little more and find out what is going on,” he said. &#8220We're getting neighbors calling on neighbors, and they're not necessarily doing anything illegal.”

Firefighters in the Mat-Su Valley are working with limited resources due to the 9,400-acre Big Su Fire and 60-acre Yentna River Fire along Lake Creek. It ties up resources when firefighters respond to campers roasting ducks over a campfire barbecue.

The open burning suspension will be lifted when the rains come, Greiling said. In the meantime, he recommends calling the number on your burn permit for updates. Burn permits are required for open burning April 1 to Aug. 31.

Contact Hannah Guillaume at 352-2284 or hannahguillaume@yahoo.com.