Anchorage Fire Department rules for backyard burning are extremely strict.

 

Here are the highlights:

 

Burn pile must be located at least 50 feet from any structure, power poles, vehicles, trees, brush and dead grass. No overhead obstructions such as power lines or overhanging branches.

 

Only dry spruce beetle killed wood may be burned: spruce trees and limbs killed by the spruce bark beetle. Material must be dry enough to burn readily with minimum smoke.

 

AFD strictly prohibits burning of garbage, lumber, construction material, trash, plastics, glue, petroleum saturated or painted materials.

 

An open recreational or cooking fire does not require a permit if it is contained within an area or pit less than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. These fires must be located in a cleared area at least 25 feet from any structure, power poles, vehicles, trees, brush and dead grass. This includes barbeque pits. These fires must comply with the daily burn approval notice recorded at 267-5020 or at http://afd.muni.org.

 

Open burning that will be offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions is prohibited by Fire code. When burning any type of fire, be a good neighbor and consider how your fire affects your neighbors.

 

Click here for the full AFD FAQ.