Wildfire Season Around the Corner - Act Preventatively

Homer’s Volunteer Fire Department responded to the first wildfire of the season earlier this month, when someone welding outside ignited some tall grass nearby. The fire spread to about an acre before being extinguished. Even though there is still snow on the ground in many areas, exposed grass and brush is extremely dry and can burn easily.  

Wildfire potential increases after snow melt and during our typically dry, low-humidity spring weather.

Please remember, burn permits are required year round if you live within Homer city limits.  Permits are free-of-charge, are issued for up to one year and can be obtained at the Homer Volunteer Fire Department, Monday-Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

If you live outside Homer city limits, State burn permits are required only from April 1st through the end of August each year for all burning except small cooking or warming fires and burning in a burn barrel set up to approved standards.  You can obtain a State burn permit on-line at www.forestry.alaska.gov/burn or at the Division of Forestry, Homer office, on Kachemak Drive, 235-7734.

If you are planning an open burn, please notify your local emergency services station to prevent firefighters being mistakenly dispatched to your controlled burn.  Regulations require you to clear the ground around burns and attend the fire until it is completely extinguished.  It’s always wise to recheck any debris piles you burned early in the spring to ensure they are out.  Smoldering embers deep under the ash pile can spring to life as snow melts leaving dry grass as tinder nearby.