Cooler, damper weather on the Kenai Peninsula has prompted the Alaska Division of Forestry to lift the two-month long burn permit suspension. In a release, the Division said it “opens the way for cautious, permitted burning.” The suspension was lifted effective yesterday (Wed.) at 8 a.m.
Under the burn permit suspension, brush piles and the use of burn barrels were prohibited. With the burn permit suspension lifted, residents may now burn small brush piles or use burn barrels with a small-scale burn permit, which can be obtained online at DNR dot Alaska dot gov, or at local fire departments.
For brush piles larger than 10-feet across and four-feet high, a large-scale burn permit is required, which can be obtained from the Division of Forestry office in Soldotna.
The original suspension was spurred by concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic could make it impossible to rely on Lower 48 firefighting resources this summer. With the historic fire season half-way over, Forestry managers feel confident enough in the statewide weather pattern that they are contemplating sending some firefighting resources back to the Lower 48.