Burn Bans

Alaska's statewide burn-permit season is over — a burn permit is not required right now. The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection requires one statewide only from April 1 through August 31 for open debris burning, burn barrels and lawn burns, and that window closed on August 31, 2026. Campfires less than 3 feet in diameter never require a burn permit. In the Mat-Su area all four zones (East, Core, North and West) now read "NOT REQUIRED — Small and Large Burn Permits are not required at this time. Permits are required from April 1st thru August 31st each year," and Mat-Su fire danger is Low (Mat-Su Fire Area page, read September 2, 2026). The Division's alert page shows no active alerts statewide — "Active Alerts (0)" (read September 30, 2026). Being out of permit season does not clear you to burn anywhere: even in season permits are required state-wide "unless area is covered by a more stringent local or federal permit," and those local and federal rules do not stop on August 31. Every Fire Area publishes its own status and it can change day to day, so check your Fire Area page at dnr.alaska.gov/burn/fireareas before you burn. The permit requirement returns each year on April 1.