Crews work to secure 1.5-acre Bulchitna Fire near Skwentna

A Red Flag Warning and expanded burn-permit suspensions are raising fire danger across Southcentral Alaska this weekend, even as crews work to fully secure a small blaze near Skwentna.

The National Weather Service in Anchorage issued the Red Flag Warning for the Lower Matanuska Valley, the Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western and Central Susitna Valley, and Lime Village, effective 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, June 19. The agency cited abundant lightning and dry fuels as the drivers of critical fire weather conditions. In Alaska, a Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds are combining with dry fuels such as grass and dead trees to create a high risk of wildfire. The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection warned that "any new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly."

The division suspended burn permits in the Delta, Mat-Su, and Tok fire prevention areas effective Thursday, June 18, due to warm weather, lack of significant wetting rain, and high winds. Burn suspensions for Fairbanks, Salcha, and the Railbelt remain in place. The suspensions will remain in effect until conditions change. Debris burning, lawn burning, and burn barrels are prohibited under the suspensions. Cooking and warming fires less than three feet in diameter with flame lengths less than two feet high remain allowed, though the division urges extreme caution.

State law requires burn permits for any open burning on state, private, and municipal lands from April 1 through Aug. 31. Residents in suspended areas cannot burn even with a permit until the suspension is lifted. The Mat-Su Area permit hotline is (907) 761-6312. Current permit status is also available at dnr.alaska.gov/burn.

Against that backdrop, firefighters are working to secure the Bulchitna Fire, a 1.5-acre blaze burning 8.5 miles east of Skwentna. "Forward progress of the fire was stopped by effective bucket drops" after the Mat-Su Alpha Squad was shuttled to the fire Wednesday evening and spent the night on scene. Thursday's work focused on sawline construction around the perimeter and mop-up of remaining heat, with a helicopter on standby for additional bucket drops or supply delivery. "The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. This will be the last update for the fire unless significant activity occurs."

The Mat-Su Bravo Squad is staged in Palmer to respond to any new ignitions.

The division also reminded the public that "lightning storms are forecast across Alaska this weekend. With the Summer Solstice upon us, the long days of sunshine can rapidly dry out areas that receive rain." Residents are urged to avoid burning, keep equipment that may emit sparks away from dry areas, properly dispose of cigarettes, and fully extinguish campfires by drowning them with water, stirring the ashes, and checking for remaining heat.