Mat-Su ready for July 4 celebrations

WASILLA — Parades, picnics, and related events go hand-in-hand with Americans’ celebration of Independence Day. The Mat-Su offers plenty of opportunities to do just that. For those who want to stick closer to home, local and state officials want to remind residents on the safe use of any fireworks, in the few places they are permitted.

Whether one is looking to take in a parade or see a vehicle launched over a 300-foot cliff, you can find it in the Mat-Su over the holiday. Incorporating its ongoing centennial celebration, the City of Wasilla has a full slate of activities planned for July 4 starting with its annual 4th of July parade. The parade kicks off at 11a.m. and has a different route than past years. The map below shows the new route which starts at Wasilla High School.

The annual Community Mayor’s Picnic begins at 1 p.m. at the IditaPark Green Pavilion, located at 500 West Nelson Avenue. The city’s annual fireworks display will begin at 11 p.m. at IditaPark.

Summerfest 2017 kicked off yesterday with the weeklong midway carnival at the Menard Sports Center on Clapp Street. It will run throughout the week, including Independence Day. Summerfest kicks into high gear next weekend with an added rodeo and car show at the Menard Center.

Those in the Susitna Valley may want to visit Talkeetna for the Fourth. The town’s parade kicks off at noon downtown. Local businesses have also set up decorated wooden moose which will be on display throughout town. Following the parade, what is described as a “True Alaskan auction” will take place at Village Park where those moose will be corralled and sold to the highest bidder.

For those in the Glacier View area, the community will again put itself on the map with its annual events. Organizers say the day is one “Freedom, Family, Fun, Faith, Fantastic Food, and Friends.” According to its Facebook page, things begin at 9:45 a.m. with a newly added 5k run followed by a kids’ fun run. To register for the event, visit https://glacierviewfunrun.redpodium.com/glacier-view-fun-run .

The High Noon flyover takes place at the allotted time which kicks off the planned parade. A community picnic will be served up around 1 to 1:30 p.m., according to organizers and followed by the event that made Glacier View famous. The annual vehicle launch directly follows the picnic. According to organizers, at Friday’s press deadline, a GMC Jimmy, Ford Expedition and Ford F-250 will be on the launching line for the 300-foot-plus plunge over a cliff.

For more information on Glacier View events, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/128168557739549/ .

Fireworks-fire safety

Given the daily scattered rainfall across the Mat-Su, current wildfire threats are low and expected to remain that way into next week. However, Mat-Su Borough (MSB) officials remind residents and visitors that discharging fireworks anywhere within the borough—with the exception of the City of Houston—is prohibited over the Independence Day holiday. The only day the borough allows fireworks is New Year’s Eve.

Fireworks are allowed to be discharged legally within the Houston city limits and only on private property with the landowner’s permission. Fireworks discharging can be prohibited by the state when the Alaska Division of Forestry issues a burning ban. Given the current and short-term weather forecast, that is not expected. It remains illegal to discharge fireworks on any borough, state, or federal lands including forests and parks.

Alaska Department of Forestry (ADF) officials state the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to watch an authorized public display. For those choosing to discharge fireworks in a legal area, the following tips are offered. Always check with local fire departments, ADF and Alaska State Troopers to make sure special bans on fireworks and/or burning are not in effect. Always follow the directions. Have a sober adult present. Use only outdoors and do not use them near dry grass or other flammable materials. Never point or throw fireworks at another person or an animal. Do not carry them in your pockets, and keep water handy.

Statewide, wildland fire officials want to remind the public to be extremely cautious with any activity that could ignite a wildfire. While this summer’s wildfire season has so far been relatively quiet in Alaska, there are areas of the state that remain very dry, specifically the eastern half of the state.

As of Thursday, there have been 249 wildfires in Alaska that have burned an estimated 166,971 acres this season. There are 84 active fires but only five are currently being staffed with firefighting personnel. The remaining active fires are being monitored.

The holiday weekend traditionally results in an increase in traffic in the woods and on rivers and roads as people head out to go boating, camping, fishing, hiking, off-road riding, and partake in other recreational activities.

ADF personnel issue the following fire tips. Make sure it is placed on dirt or gravel and keep it small. Never leave it unattended and make sure it is completely extinguished before leaving by drowning it with water and stirring it until it is cold to the touch. Also, be sure to adhere to the ADF burn permit guidelines for any burning. Call your local forestry office or check online at https://dnr.alaska.gov/burn for local burn suspensions.

ADF states using fireworks is also a major wildfire safety concern and those celebrating with them should use caution and discharge only where legal. It is illegal to use fireworks on forested state lands, public or private, April 1-Aug. 31. Individuals responsible for causing a wildfire—even by accident, can be held accountable for suppression costs incurred by state or federal governments.

For statewide fire information, visit the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center website at https://fire.ak.blm.gov and Alaska Wildland Fire Information at https://akfireinfo.com.

Other sources include Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AK.Forestry and the Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service at https://www.facebook.com/BLMAFS.