Spring Cleaning?…

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Below is a simple set of guidelines that the Anchorage Fire Department’s Wildfire Mitigation office has produce as a reminder for residents as they prepare for spring yard cleaning:

The Anchorage Wildfire Mitigation Office has been receiving an increased number of calls regarding burn permits and guidelines. We have updated all information on the AFD website to reflect the guidelines (www.muni.org/fire). Please call 267-4980 if you have any questions or concerns.

I. Planning to burn.

• Only spruce beetle killed wood may be burned: spruce trees and limbs killed by the spruce bark beetle.

• Permits are available online at http://afd.muni.org or by calling 267-5020. Permit must be on site during burn.

• Residents must comply with the daily burn approval notice posted at http://afd.muni.org and recorded at 267-5020. Daily burn approval is dependent upon air quality, smoke dispersal, fire weather index, wind and regional fire activity.

• Burning is allowed between the hours of 9:00 am and 9:00 pm.

II. Prepare the burn area.

• Burn pile must be located at least 50 feet (in all directions) from any structure, power poles or lines, vehicles, trees, brush and dead grass.

• Burn pile maximum size is limited to 6 feet wide by 6 feet long by 3 feet high.

• Clear all combustible material before igniting your pile.

• Burn pile must be established on mineral soil (dirt or gravel, not peat)

• Only one burn pile may be burned at a time.

• A working telephone provided as the “On-site Contact Number” on the Burn Permit Application must be available at the burn site.

• A charged water hose is required; it must reach 20 feet beyond the burn pile.

• A shovel, rake, Pulaski or hoe must be provided for each adult in attendance.

• One responsible and able bodied adult over the age of 18 must attend the fire at all times. Must be wearing protective clothing such as sturdy shoes or boots, long pants, gloves, long sleeved shirt.

• Fire must be extinguished immediately if wind speeds exceed 15 mph.

III. Recreational and Cooking Fires

• A recreational or cooking fire does not require a permit if it is contained within an area less than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. These fires must be located in a cleared area at least 25 feet from any structure, power poles, vehicles, trees, brush and dead grass. These fires must comply with the daily burn approval notice recorded at 267-5020 or at http://afd.muni.org.

• Recreational fires contained within an approved outdoor fireplace or barbeque grill do not require a permit if it has a total area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height. It must be situated 15 feet or more from a structure. These devices are required to have a spark arrestor, chimney stack or screen over the top. The unit must be elevated off the ground at least 12 inches. These contained fires are allowed if burning is not approved for the day at 267-5020 or at http://afd.muni.org.

• The use of contained barbeque grills for cooking is not dependent upon burn day approval.

• Recreational or ceremonial fires larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height that do not follow all of the requirements for the residential burn permit require an inspection. Call Fire Prevention at 267-4900. Permit and inspection fees apply. Please schedule at least 2 weeks in advance.