Play safely this July Fourth

There are some Fourth of July traditions that won’t be part of this year’s celebration, for safety’s sake.

We still don’t know whether fireworks use started the Sockeye fire, but investigators say that is the human cause they are looking at as the source of the wildfire that burned more than 7,000 acres, including 55 homes.

According to the state Fire Marshal’s Office, this is the holiday with the most fires. That’s another tradition we hope won’t be part of this year’s Independence Day fun.

Maybe you were hoping — as we were — that the burn ban would hold through the holiday weekend to minimize the risk of a second forest fire incident in the Mat-Su Borough this summer.

As we write this Thursday afternoon, state Division of Forestry fire crews are responding “code red” to another fire. Although fire conditions have been extreme this summer, due in part to a hot, dry spring on the heels of a dry winter with record low snowfalls, people continue to light fires as usual.

Hopefully, no one ever intentionally sets the woods on fire. But even accidental fire starts put people’s homes, lives and pets in danger. Safe use of fire is a responsibility we all share.

Chaos erupted Tuesday after the Fire Marshal’s Office lifted the ban on sales of fireworks, as required in 13 AAC 50.025 – 3308.11.14. The same administrative rule was also behind Division of Forestry’s cancellation of the burn ban in many parts of the state.

However, the Fire Marshal’s Office said Alaska law allows local jurisdictions — such as the Mat-Su Borough and the cities of Houston, Palmer and Wasilla — to exercise a higher level of vigilance and continue the ban on fireworks for their area. Certain types of burning are prohibited across borough owned lands. Basically, the ban allows only charcoal grills and propane grills. Campfires, bonfires, and trash fires are not allowed.

Fireworks remain illegal on private and public land.

On private land, campfires and barbecues are allowed, but all other types of open burning — yard clearing, pile burning, or burn barrels — are not allowed.

“This is not a hastily made decision, but made with careful scrutiny of weather and fire indices,” the Fire Marshal’s Office said.

There are different rules for state parks and recreation areas, and another set for national parks. So know before you go whether burning is allowed.

The Alaska Railroad also asks people to be alert and watch for trains when crossing the tracks to access recreation areas this weekend.

Alaska State Troopers will work overtime this weekend patrolling for poor driver behaviors like aggressive and distracted driving. And Alaska Wildlife Troopers will focus on safety by users of lakes, rivers and seas.

Code compliance officers also will be out patrolling for the illegal use of fireworks in neighborhoods around the borough.

People who see unsafe behavior on Alaska’s roads, waterways or involving fireworks, should report the activity by calling 911.

There’s a lot to celebrate about Independence Day, but there’s nothing to celebrate about sparking another forest fire or another fatal car crash. Please enjoy the holiday weekend. But by all means, play safely.