The National Weather Service on Monday issued wildfire warnings for a large area of Alaska including Anchorage and Fairbanks, as low humidity and high temperatures persist across the state.
The service issued red flag warnings for most of the state's western region, Interior Alaska and much of Southcentral Alaska.
Temperatures reached into the mid-80s in Southcentral on Monday afternoon, according to a Monday release from the Anchorage Office of Emergency Management.
A full burn ban went into effect in Anchorage on Monday.
"It will be a zero-tolerance policy," said John See of the Anchorage Fire Department. The fire department will issue $150 fines for first-time offenders, $300 fines to second-time offenders and $600 fines to third-time offenders.
The only permitted devices are covered gas, electric and charcoal barbecue grills, as well as enclosed fish smokers.
"All other devices, such as chimineas and portable fireplaces are NOT ALLOWED until further notice. All burn permits are also suspended until further notice," the Anchorage Fire Department wrote in a release. "Never leave any source of heat or fire, even enclosed grills, for even a minute!"
Anyone who sees smoke or fire is urged to call 911 immediately. Anyone calling to report any backyard or outdoor burning is asked to call the non-emergency line at 907-267-4950.
"If we had something on the Hillside, or in Anchorage, it would be another high-priority fire that could remove resources from the Willow fire (Sockeye Fire)," See said.
A similar ban is in place in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, home of the still-growing fire. Authorities are now asking Mat-Su residents to stop all open burning, including cooking and warming fires. The Alaska Division of Forestry suspended all Mat-Su burn permits.
Continued gusty winds are expected across Southcentral. The Anchorage advisory is expected to expire early Wednesday morning., the city's Office of Emergency Management said.
In Fairbanks, temperatures were also expected to reach the mid-80s. Although there is only light wind, there is low humidity. A red flag warning there is expected to last until at least midnight.
In King Salmon, thermometers registered a new record temperature Sunday, reaching 82 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Even in parts of the state that aren't being threatened by fire, unusual weather meant temperature records were set. Cold Bay hit a high of 66 degrees on Saturday, beating the old record of 59 degrees, set in 2013. In Yakutat, temperatures hit a record high of 80 degrees on Sunday, beating the old record of 76 degrees.