More favorable weather reduced fire risk
July 15, 2022 (ANCHORAGE) – The Alaska State Fire Marshal’s Office is rescinding the personal use fireworks suspension put in place June 30th. The conditions that led to the suspension, dry weather and lack of firefighting assets, have stabilized in recent days. The rescinding of the suspension is following the Alaska Department of Natural Resources / Division of Forestry & Fire Protection’s lifting of emergency burn closures for the same areas the firework suspension affected. The suspension had included the following areas:
- Kenai Peninsula Borough
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Denali Borough
- Fairbanks NorthStar Borough
- The areas in and around Delta Junction, Tok, and the upper Tanana Valley
- Copper River Basin Area
“We appreciate Alaskans’ cooperation for the short suspension period,” said State Fire Marshal Richard Boothby. “While fire conditions have improved, it’s still important for folks to take care when using fireworks or other potential sources of fire ignition. One careless moment can have a huge impact on peoples’ lives and property.”
Personal fireworks use may still be illegal in some areas of Alaska. Alaskans should check local, borough, or federal laws, ordinances, or regulations for specific areas to ensure they are following applicable rules governing firework use.
According to a wildland fire dashboard from the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center, nearly 3 million acres have burned in wildland fires this year in Alaska. There are currently 13 fires staffed with firefighting personnel in the state.
For wildfire updates and fire safety information, visit: