Red Flag Warning covers Southwest Alaska through Wednesday

Southwest Alaska is under a Red Flag Warning through Wednesday evening as hot, dry, and windy conditions raise the risk of fast-spreading wildfires across the region.

The National Weather Service issued the warning for the Kuskokwim Valley, Interior Kuskokwim Delta, Inland Bristol Bay, Northern Bristol Bay Coast, and Bristol Bay Borough through 8 PM June 3. A Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds combine with dry fuels to create conditions where any new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly.

Alaska is already seeing an active early fire season. The state has responded to 63 fires this year. Most were caused by escaped debris burns and unattended campfires.

On June 1, the Alaska Division of Forestry suspended burn permits in Mat-Su and the Kenai-Kodiak areas due to similar hot, dry, windy conditions and increased fire activity. A separate Red Flag Warning covered the Lower Matanuska Valley around Palmer and Butte on Monday from 1 PM to 10 PM.

Residents should avoid open burning and spark-producing work through Wednesday evening. The division advised against using spark-emitting equipment such as chainsaws or lawnmowers in dry grassy areas during the warning period.

Cooking and warming fires are still allowed under the Mat-Su and Kenai-Kodiak burn permit suspensions but require extreme caution. Campfires must be extinguished completely by drowning them with water, stirring the ashes, and feeling for any remaining heat.

Residents should properly dispose of cigarettes and never throw cigarette butts on the ground or out of a vehicle.

Burn permits are required statewide April 1 through August 31 on state, private, and municipal lands. Permit information and suspension status are available at dnr.alaska.gov/burn or by calling your local Division of Forestry office.