Fairbanks Area Permits |
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Local Area InformationMission Statements
The mission of Fairbanks Area Forestry Fire Operations is to protect lives and property, prevent man caused fires, and conserve, enhance, and facilitate the care of Alaska's forested lands.
Fairbanks Area Forestry is responsible for wildland fire protection of approximately nine million acres between the Chatanika River drainage in the north and Cantwell to the south; and from Nenana in the west to the Yukon Charley Rivers National Preserve in the east. The Fairbanks area is a combination of rolling hills, low mountains, and tundra flats. The flats dominate the south and west parts. Hills and low mountains are in the north and east. Fire Behavior & PotentialOn an average, large project fires exceeding 1,000 acres occur every other year. Expenditures for these fires can exceed millions of dollars in suppression expenditures. Through cooperative agreements with local fire departments and the Alaska Fire Service, 95% of fire starts are kept below 10 acres in size. Historically, 78% of the areas' fires occur between April 30 and August 1. High temperatures, with little or no precipitation, characterize typical Interior Alaska weather during this time. During these periods, temperatures in the 70's to 80's, humidities can reach a low of 14%, with average rainfall of 3.78 inches. During these conditions fires may show a high resistance to control. There is an average of twenty days per month, during May, June and, July with winds exceeding 10 mph. Windy conditions can lead to a rapid rate-of-spread. Red flag warnings are not uncommon during these periods. Extensive black spruce is the main hazard fuel. Stands of mature white spruce, hardwoods, and mixed conifer forests can also make suppression efforts difficult. Tundra vegetation can be a main fire carrier, with peat fires sometimes requiring several burning periods to extinguish. Light fuels can get extremely dry after the snow melts away, and can remain so, even after the leaves are out on trees. Fairbanks Area Forestry Prevention ProgramFairbanks Area Forestry maintains an aggressive wildfire prevention program designed to reduce the average number of human caused fires on all forested land within the Fairbanks Area. The Prevention Program provides the community with a variety of educational programs and materials. Prevention Technicians visit schools, maintain a booth at the local fair each year, and visit homeowners. The FAF Prevention Technicians issue burn permits, violation warnings, and violation citations. In addition to being responsible for enforcement, they are part of our initial attack force. Alaska Statutes (AS 41.15) - Protection of Forested Lands Suspension? or Closure?
Please read and understand all the information on this page before applying for a burn permit. Contact us if you have any questions or concerns about burning in Alaska. Another term used is Wind Advisory. This is a notification that weather conditions may change, resulting in an increase of wind speeds and drying of fuels and vegetation which would make open burning hazardous. Windy conditions exist and greater caution should be exercised when burning. Burn PermitsThe area burn permit program is a free service that benefits landowners and forestry by reducing false alarm call-outs and hazardous burning procedures. Approximately 82% of the area's fires are caused by humans, mostly as a result of land clearing, which demonstrates a continuing need to educate the public. The remaining 18% are lightning-caused fires, occurring mostly in the hills around Fairbanks. Burn Permits can be obtained on-line, from our office, and specific fire departments. There is no charge for Burn Permits. There are several types of permits, each has different requirements:
IMPORTANT: After you obtain a burn permit, you must call Forestry to activate the permit (see regulations).
You must have the permit in your position at all times when burning.
Burning conditions are updated from the 8:00 AM weather information. There is no online activation for Fairbanks Area Forestry Burn Permits Applications for permits can be completed online using most web browsers. This application uses web browser cookies and javascript. You most have these items enabled in your web browser in order to apply for a permit online. If you are unable to complete the application online or need a permit when you do not have access to a computer, call your local Division of Forestry Office or your local fire department. Important: You must have the permit in your possession at all times when burning. Burn BarrelsNew! All burn barrels are subject to local burn suspensions as well as restrictions and closures. Penalities may apply for unsafe burning. All burn barrels are subject to spot inspection by Division of Forestry Area Prevention staff or their representatives. Use of an approved burn barrel does not relieve the individual of responsibility should the fire escape as a result of negligence. Anyone starting a fire is responsible for that fire until it is completely out. Contact UsFairbanks Area Office3700 Airport Way Fairbanks, AK 99709 Office Phone: 907-451-2626 Burn Permit Phone: 907-451-2626 Toll Free: 888-615-2626 Fax: 907-451-2633 Office Hours April 1st to September 30th |
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