Alaska forestry division flags five fire hazards for Halloween weekend

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection on Friday flagged five wildfire hazards for Alaskans heading into Halloween weekend, from unattended campfires to sparks thrown by tow chains.

The Halloween-themed post urged residents to practice wildfire safety and keep homes and communities safe.

First on the list is the unattended campfire. The division says fires should be put out completely, until the coals are cold to the touch. "Always make sure your fire is DEAD OUT before walking away," reads the division's tombstone-themed graphic.

The division also warned against fireworks during Red Flag conditions, which it defines as high winds, low humidity and high temperatures. Under those conditions, it said, fireworks can be a severe wildfire risk.

Trees falling on power lines are another hazard. The division asked residents to check their yards for hazardous trees and to contact their local utility to trim branches and remove trees near the lines.

Dragging tow chains can throw sparks that ignite nearby grass, the division said.

The last hazard is firewood stacked against the house. The division recommends keeping firewood at least 30 feet from structures, a buffer it calls defensible space.

Most Alaska wildfires this year started with people. Of the state's first 124 fires of the season, 118 were human-caused, according to the division's June 1-7 roundup. By Aug. 17, Alaska had recorded 396 fires and about 80,000 acres burned statewide, according to Alaska Interagency Coordination Center data.