State forestry division lists five wildfire hazards in Halloween post

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection on Friday posted a Halloween-themed list of five wildfire hazards, from unattended campfires to sparks thrown by dragging tow chains.

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

The division also warned against fireworks during Red Flag conditions, which it defines as high winds, low humidity and high temperatures. It asked residents to check their yards for trees that could fall on power lines and to contact their local utility to trim or remove them. Dragging tow chains can throw sparks that light nearby grass.

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

Of Alaska's first 124 wildfires this year, 118 were human-caused, according to the division's June 1-7 roundup.