The Alaska Division of Forestry is advising residents in the Mat-Su Valley to use caution when
burning this weekend due to lack of snow and high winds in the Palmer and Wasilla areas.
High winds have blown away what little snow was on the ground, exposing grass and brush that could fuel a
wildfire, according to Fire Management Officer Norm McDonald with the Division of Forestry’s Mat-Su Area
Office. In addition, high winds forecast through the weekend and low relative humidities in the teens have
ramped up the fire danger, despite the fact it’s still the middle of winter and temperatures are in the teens.
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley, with gusts
up to 60 mph forecast through Friday night. Winds are expected to diminish late tonight in much of the area
but gusts up to 45 mph will continue for the Mat-Su Valley through Saturday and into Sunday.
The Central Mat-Su Fire Department responded to a brush fire on Thursday night that was the result of high
winds rekindling a debris pile burn that then spread to the homeowner’s yard, according to McDonald.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze but it illustrated the possibility of a wildfire in the area, he said.
CONTACT: Norm McDonald, 907-863-2007, norman.mcdonald@alaska.gov
Categories: AK Fire Info, Fire Prevention, Fire Weather
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 