Warm weather brings fire, flood warnings

The Matanuska Valley is under both a red flag fire warning and flood advisory through 11 p.m., Tuesday.

Warm, dry weather prompted a suspension of all burn permits in the Mat-Su Valley, the state’s Division of Forestry announced Tuesday morning.

A few hours later the National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for the Matanuska and Susitna valleys through 4 p.m., Friday.

Snowmelt in the Talkeetna Mountains has resulted in water level increases over the last three days in the Talkeenta River, Montana Creek, Little Susitna River, Matanuska River and other streams, the weather service says.

Some streams in the vicinity of the Parks Highway are reported to be bankful and water levels are expected to increase over the next few days.

The weather service says a separate flood watch has been issued for portions of the Susitna River near Curry due to an ice jam.

“River levels downriver from Curry will rise quickly when the ice jam releases and remain very high some minor flooding likely through Friday.”

Early Tuesday afternoon weather service issued the red flag warning after humidity dropped to 20 percent to 15 percent. The warning ended Tuesday at 11 p.m.

“All burn piles and burn barrels need to be put out. The use of campfires, warming or cooking fires are still permissible, but are strongly discouraged. If lighting a campfire, warming or cooking fire, do not leave it unattended and make sure it is dead before you leave it, using water and a shovel,” forestry said in a press release.

Anyone who wants to burn should check forestry’s website — forestry.alaska.gov/burn — continually to see if the ban has been lifted.

For more information, visit weather.gov.