Delta burn permits suspended Wednesday as fire conditions worsen

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection suspended all burn permits in the Delta Fire Prevention Area on Wednesday, citing low relative humidity, gusty winds, and dry fuels that could push any escaped ember into a fast-moving wildfire. The suspension covers both the East and West zones and carries no fixed end date.

Debris piles, lawn burning, and burn barrels are prohibited. Cooking and warming fires under three feet in diameter with flame lengths under two feet remain allowed, but the agency warns that "extreme caution must be used due to high wildfire potential should an ember escape, a fire be left unattended or it's not completely extinguished. Any new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly." Even those exempt fires are not advisable on windy days or when red flag warnings are in effect.

The Delta area has seen the same pattern repeat throughout the 2026 season, with suspensions in May and June each time low humidity and gusty winds pushed fire danger into dangerous territory.