Dry weather prompts fire advisory

PALMER — The state’s Division of Forestry announced today that burn permits are suspended until further notice.

According to a Forestry press release from 11 a.m. Tuesday, campfires, cooking fires and warming fires are not banned but Forestry discourages their use.

Forestry cites as reasons for the suspension hot, dry weather with no anticipated precipitation.

“Valley residents are advised to recheck all their old burn piles lit this spring for smoldering embers and to make sure they are completely out. Residents are asked to practice all caution, and be vigilant,” according to the press release.

The same notice cited as a warning the first significant wildfire of the season, which burned nine acres in the back roads off Knik-Goose Bay Road. Forestry officials have determined the fire started when an ember escaped from a burn barrel. The fire quickly spread, pushed by winds, which blew even more embers out of the barrel.

The man who caused that fire has been cited for negligence, Forestry reports.