Open Fire Ban Lifted

Date: July 11, 2013

Copper Center, Alaska – Effective immediately, open fires may be built as allowed by park regulations on all Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve lands.

The term Open Fires refers to any flame source not immediately extinguishable or controllable and applies to any form of wood or charcoal-based fire, even in established fire rings.

Rain and generally wet weather over the past several days in combination with forecasted conditions throughout South-Central Alaska is allowing the ban to be lifted. Visitors and commercial operators should still use extreme caution regarding open fire use as underlying fuels may still be dry and subject to rapid burning. There remain 103 active fires burning in Alaska.  Visitors and residents are asked to assist fire managers by closely monitoring any and all open fires, keeping them as small as possible and ensuring they are “dead out.” Fireworks are prohibited on park lands.

For statewide fire information visit: http://fire.ak.blm.gov.

Updated park information is posted on the web at; www.nps.gov/wrst.

Information can also be obtained by calling park headquarters at (907) - 822-5234.

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