(FAIRBANKS, Alaska) – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on Monday issued a Fire Prevention Order prohibiting campfires, explosives and fireworks on federal lands in a fire-prone area of black spruce near Gilmore Trail north of Fairbanks and north of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) facility site on the Steese Highway.
The BLM’s Eastern Interior Field Office in Fairbanks has issued the order to ensure public safety and protect nearby property and residences. An area of public land at the end of Brier Road northeast of Fox is also included in the order, which goes into effect June 7.
In recent years, firefighters and law enforcement personnel have found numerous unattended bonfires on federal land accessed from Gilmore Trail, leading to concerns that an escaped fire could threaten local residences, as well as the NOAA facility on Gilmore Creek.
Anyone convicted of violating this order could face a fine of up to $1,000, spend up to a year in jail and be responsible for costs associated with fire suppression and damages. The fire prevention order will end Oct. 31 unless it is rescinded due to weather conditions or other factors.
For more information, contact Fire Management Officer Willie Branson at 907-474-2226 or wbranson@blm.gov. The fire prevention order and a map showing affected lands are available on the BLM Alaska’s fire restrictions web page.
Categories: AK Fire Info, BLM Eastern Interior Field Office, Fire Prevention, Fire Restrictions
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 