Alaska’s wildland fire season officially starts on April 1 and Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DOF) burn permits are now required on all State, municipal and private lands that do not have a local burn permit program in effect. The small-scale burn permits are good for burning one brush pile, using one burn barrel or the burning of maintained lawn. Large-scale permitting is available for any burning not covered under the small-scale permit and has more stringent requirements like a site inspection, additional people, water or heavy equipment.
Brush pile burning and the use of burn barrels are two of the leading sources of human-caused wildland fires in Alaska. Each year as the snow rapidly melts, the dead grass and brush in yards and around burn barrels can dry out within just a few short hours of sunlight and become extremely flammable. In most cases, grass fires spread rapidly and can cause damage to structures, homes, equipment and other infrastructure. Unextinguished hot ember and ash piles can thaw the ground and burn down into root systems, mulch and moss – and rekindle in later weeks when hot, dry weather settles in.
DOF small-scale permits can be printed online from https://dnr.alaska.gov/burn. We recommend using this website as a helpful resource for learning about current conditions, burn restrictions in your area, and safe burning practices in Alaska. Burn permits are free and are available at local state DOF offices in Delta Junction, Fairbanks, Glennallen, Palmer, Soldotna and Tok, as well as local fire departments. Local government regulations may prohibit open burning. Residents are required to check with their local officials to determine what the burning requirements are in their area before obtaining a DOF permit. If no program exists, then a DOF burn permit is required on and after April 1st. If you believe you are in need of a Large-scale burn permit, contact your nearest DOF office for further instructions.
Commonly Asked Questions - Quick Reference
What can be burned?: Material that can be burned with a permit includes organic material such as leaves, brush, grass, lawn clippings, untreated wood, paper, or cardboard. It is illegal to burn substances such as plastics, garbage, rubber, Styrofoam, insulation, asbestos, painted or treated wood or anything else that produces black smoke. Those burning such materials can be cited and fined.
Are burn permits required for camping?: Burn permits are NOT required for camping, cooking or warming fires less than three feet in diameter with flame lengths less than two feet high. Violators of the permit requirements and safe burning instructions can be cited and held both criminally and civilly liable for the sometimes very substantial damage caused by an escaped fire.
Is fire season longer?: In the last 20 years, Alaskans have experienced the trend towards earlier, longer, and more intense fire seasons. Four of the 10 largest fire seasons on record in Alaska since 1939 have occurred since 2004. In 2006, the Alaska Legislature took legislative action after historic back-to-back, record wildfire seasons in 2004 and 2005. A bill was passed that advanced the start of the wildland fire season and burn permit requirement from May 1st to April 1st. The change was made at the request of Alaska’s wildland fire management agencies with the primary goal of reducing human-caused fires before spring green-up.
When should I burn debris? DOF encourages Alaskans to burn debris early in the season when the ground is still wet and fire danger is low, instead of waiting until later in the spring or summer when conditions are drier.
Visit our website to download your 2023 burn permit today: https://dnr.alaska.gov/burn