Chinook winds cause a dozen power line fires from Delta Junction to Tok

Aug 15, 2023

By Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection on August 27, 2023

Burn Permit Suspension remains in place for the Tok and Delta Fire Prevention Areas areas due to strong winds and very high fire danger conditions.

Strong gusty warm chinook winds impacted the eastern Interior yesterday afternoon causing low visibility, knocking down trees, and sparking at least a dozen small wildfires. Personnel from the Delta Junction City Fire Department and Rural Deltana Volunteer Fire Department worked with Delta Area DOF personnel until 1:30 am extinguishing at least five new fire starts. DOF personnel in Tok worked with local Tok volunteer firefighters to catch at least seven new fire starts. Most or all of these fires were ignited by trees striking power lines. Another very windy day is expected today and burn permit suspensions in place for the Tok and Delta Fire Prevention Areas areas.

The public is reminded to call 911 immediately to report power line fires. A downed power line is extremely hazardous and still carries a strong electrical current that can cause severe injury or death if you come into contact with it. You should assume that all power lines are live and dangerous. Even if the cable isn’t humming or sparking, it is still a hazard. If you find yourself near a downed power line, keep both feet on the ground and shuffle away to avoid getting shocked. Water is a conductor of electricity and can cause severe injury when mixed with a downed wire. If the wire is near a small puddle, stay as far away as possible to remain safe.

The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection Burn Permit Suspension remains in place for the Tok and Delta Fire Prevention Areas areas due to high winds and very high fire danger conditions. Burning of debris piles or utilizing a burn barrel is prohibited. Please note that cooking and warming types fires are still allowed but extreme caution must be used due to high wildfire potential should an ember escape or a fire be left unattended or not completely put out.

Alaska’s Burn Permit Program Details

State law requires those wanting to conduct any open burning on state, private and municipal lands from April 1st through Aug. 31st to get burn permits from the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection either online or at your local Forestry office. This includes burning brush piles, using burn barrels, agricultural burning and burning of maintained lawns. Burn permits are NOT required for camping, cooking or warming fires less than three feet in diameter with flame lengths less than two feet high. However, it’s not suggested during windy days or when and where there are red flag warnings.

You can also find more information about the Forestry burn permit program and suspensions at https://dnr.alaska.gov/burn

Categories: Air Quality, AK Fire Info, burn permit suspension, Fire Prevention, Fire Weather

Tags: Alaska Division of Forestry, Chinook winds, powerline fires