Fire danger rises as sunshine reigns

MAT-SU — The worst fire season in state history started off with a cold, damp spring in 2004 — much like this spring.

State Division of Forestry Fire Information Officer Matt Weaver said he hopes this summer doesn’t mirror that summer, when flames torched about 6 million acres of state land.

“Nothing happened until mid-June, and then all hell broke loose,” Weaver said.

The 260-acre Homestead Fire burned on the Kenai Peninsula until late last week, the first major fire in Southcentral Alaska this year. Overall, 242 acres have burned in the Anchorage and Mat-Su Valley area so far in 2008.

Forestry has responded to 10 fires in the past week, ranging in size from one-tenth acre to 2.1 acres, Weaver said, adding he is hopeful the recent blazes aren’t a harbinger of things to come.

“The [National Weather Service] says it’s going to dry out as the season progresses,” Weaver said. “People need to be especially conscious of using good common sense.”

As the summer sunshine extends longer, Weaver said Forestry is bumping the fire danger in the Valley from moderate to high. The National Weather Service has predicted an extended period of dry weather, and Forestry will remain watchful of conditions, he said.

“We’re holding our firefighting resources in Palmer close to home,” Weaver said. The division also has a group of smoke jumpers stationed in Palmer. Should a new fire be reported, Forestry has 19 people ready to rapidly respond and 36 other firefighters are available if necessary.

The Division of Forestry has some tools with which to work should a wildfire break out, Weaver said. One of the multiple fire engines the division owns was used to fight the Homestead Fire and aerial support from Dillingham to the Alaska Range is also on call.

Weaver said he is not aware of any burn bans now in place in the Mat-Su. Any fires larger than 4 feet high by 10 feet wide must have a burn permit to be legal. Permit holders need to call Forestry daily to check on any new developments and follow the guidelines printed on the back of the permit.

The Kenai Peninsula, off restriction following containment of the Homestead fire, is back on a burn ban this week. Weaver explained burn restrictions do not apply to campfires and signal fires.

Overall, though, it’s so far so good for this summer’s wildland fires.

“So far, it’s a slow year,” Weaver said, adding last week’s rain helped, but more rain will be needed to keep this summer a slow season for wildfires.

Contact Derek Casanovas at derek.casanovas@frontiersman.com or 352-2284.