BLM Issues Temporary Prohibition on Open Fires and Fireworks due to Extreme Fire Danger -- Eastern Interior Field Office
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FAIRBANKS, AK — The Bureau of Land Management’s Eastern Interior Field Office today issued a Fire Prevention Order temporarily prohibiting open fires (except at established campgrounds), fireworks, exploding targets and explosives on the public lands it manages in east-central Alaska. The order goes into effect tonight at midnight and will last until fire conditions improve.
Established BLM campgrounds where open fires are still permitted include Mt. Prindle, Ophir Creek and Cripple Creek campgrounds in the Steese and White Mountains area, and West Fork, Walker Fork and Eagle campgrounds in the Fortymile area. The Fire Prevention Order does not prohibit the use of camp stoves, gas barbeques or grills, or charcoal briquette fires in fire-proof pans on BLM-managed public lands.
The recent hot, dry and windy weather in Interior Alaska has resulted in extreme fire conditions and led the National Weather Service to issue numerous Red Flag Warnings. The precipitation and cooler temperatures of the last several days are expected to provide only a temporary reduction in fire activity; hot and dry weather is expected to return to the region later this week.
Please consider your safety and the safety of others: do your part to prevent human-caused fires. Wildland fire managers ask visitors and residents to follow the fire prohibitions and to exercise extreme caution with any kind of activity that could spark a wildfire. We all have a hand in a safe fire season.
Information on statewide wildfires and BLM’s temporary fire restrictions may be found at akfireinfo.com.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.