Hunters heading out to hunt along the Denali or Glenn highways need to be aware that a good portion of both highways are within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and there is an emergency, borough-wide burn closure currently in effect that prohibits all open burning, including campfires and the use of charcoal grills.
A map showing the boundaries of the emergency burn closure in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. To download a PDF version of the map that can be enlarged go to Mat-Su Borough Burn Closure PDF Map.
The portion of the Denali Highway that is within the Mat-Su Borough runs from Seattle Creek at approximately milepost 112 to just east of the Maclaren River at approximately milepost 41. The portion of the Glenn Highway that is within the Mat-Su Borough ends at approximately Mile 137. However, part of Lake Louise Road (starting at milepost 15) and Lake Louise itself are also within the borough boundaries (see attached map). Hunters need to check their locations and be conscious of where they are in relation to borough boundaries.
The Alaska Division of Forestry issued the emergency burn closure on August 21. The closure applies to all types of burning, including campfires and the use of charcoal grills, on state, private, municipal and borough lands in the closure areas. The closure includes campfires in established fire pits or fire rings in designated campgrounds.
Devices that can be turned on and off — such as gas and pellet grills and backpacking or camp stoves that use fuel or compressed fuel canisters — are still allowed, though users are urged to be cautious with them as well. The emergency burn closure will remain in effect until conditions moderate.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 