A burn ban for all federal and state lands on the Kenai Peninsula was lifted just after noon on Saturday, officials said.
The rare ban went into effect more than a week ago as the Funny River wildfire was spreading rapidly across the bone-dry terrain of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. But after several days of rain, coupled with higher relative humidity and changes in fire danger indices, officials decided to rescind it, the state's Division of Forestry said in a statement.
The restrictions had encompassed Chugach National Forest lands on the Kenai Peninsula, Kenai Fjords National Park, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation.
For those planning to build a fire, the Division of Forestry reminded in its statement that cooking, warming and signaling fires are the only kinds allowed.
Within the boundaries of the Kenai Fjords National Park, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Kenai Peninsula State Parks, campfires are allowed only in campgrounds with metal fire rings or grates.
Reach Devin Kelly at dkelly@adn.com or 257-4314.
By DEVIN KELLY