Forestry burn permits required starting April 1

MAT-SU — Alaska Division of Forestry reminds Mat-Su Borough residents that burn permits are required each year from April 1 to August 31, per Alaska statute, and are subject to suspensions and closures.

Permits are necessary for the burning of woody debris, brush, grass and slash burning. To obtain a permit or to learn more about local DOF area requirements, suspensions and closures, visit 1.usa.gov/1gSUdkk or contact the local forestry office. Check for municipality or borough requirements that may also apply.

Tips for safe burning include:

• Open burn piles must be surrounded by a non-burnable surface of at least 15 feet.

• As the snow melts, construct fire breaks by digging down to mineral soil.

• Do not leave piles unattended and keep sufficient tools and water on hand to control the fire.

• Ensure that piles and ash pits are extinguished by mixing them up and putting out any residual burning material. Flare-ups can ignite surrounding vegetation.

Burn barrels are a frequent source for escaped wildland fires. Approved burn barrels do not require permits and are not subject to burn permit suspensions, but are subject to closures.

Learn more about approved burn barrels from the Division of Forestry website at 1.usa.gov/1gSUdkk or on the Forestry YouTube channel bit.ly/1rqcleH (view “Safe Burning Series — Burn Barrels”).

Debris burns that begin prior to April 1 but continue to burn past the date will need a permit; campfires and small warming fires do not. In general, you are responsible for any fire you start with and without a permit.

For more information, contact Maggie Hess at (907) 356-5512 or maggie.hess@alaska.gov, or Doug Albrecht at (907) 761-6230 or douglas.albrecht@alaska.gov.