The Anchorage Assembly passed Ordinance AO 2025-61 this week, introducing criminal penalties for unauthorized fires to address wildfire risks, particularly those linked to vagrant encampments, which are a growing threat in Anchorage.
The ordinance makes it a misdemeanor to start fires on public or private land without permission during fire season, on public roads or sidewalks, or in violation of a burn ban.
Numerous vagrant fires are being set on sidewalks and in greenbelts.
The new ordinance may deter negligent fire-starting, but it is unclear if vagrants will be aware or will abide by the ordinance. After all, the vagrant camps are lawless places, filled with garbage and stolen items.
Over 80% of Anchorage is considered urban wildland. Anchorage Fire Chief Doug Schrage called the ordinance critical and said firefighters are responding daily to outdoor fires that risk escalating.
