Bans on fireworks and burning are in effect this week across Southcentral Alaska and in parts of the Interior as wildfires continue to blaze in hot, dry weather.
The state on Wednesday suspended the sale and use of fireworks indefinitely in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Kenai Peninsula Borough -- and in the Municipality of Anchorage, which already bans fireworks -- according to a statement from the fire marshal's public education coordinator. Some communities in the Peninsula and Mat-Su boroughs also ban fireworks, but they're typically legal in Houston, south of Willow.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough also issued a ban on fireworks Wednesday due to "extreme fire danger," according to a borough statement. "With the current conditions, it is important to do all we can to protect life and property," it said.
Meanwhile, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources is prohibiting all open fires -- including cooking, warming and signaling fires -- in the Municipality of Anchorage, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Kenai Peninsula Borough. The ban covers state and municipal lands as well as private property.
DNR said people can still use gas grills and backpacking or camp stoves using fuel or compressed-fuel canisters.
Earlier this week, Anchorage instituted its own burn ban across the municipality. Under the ban, seven citations were issued by Wednesday evening, including at least one to a person burning trash, said Anchorage Fire Department spokesman John See.
The citations come with a $150 fine, which doubles for the second offense and climbs to $600 for the third offense.
"People need to really understand that we're doing this for the benefit of all the municipality," See said. "This closure is really important."
On Tuesday night, a house ignited in Eagle River after, according to the 911 caller, a flame escaped from a barbecue grill on the home's deck, See said.
The Bureau of Land Management has prohibited fireworks and all open fires on BLM-managed public lands in Alaska, excluding the North Slope. People can use established fire rings and barbecue grills at campgrounds, BLM said.