A 50-year-old man accused of starting a small wildfire in East Anchorage on Friday morning has been arrested, police said.
The fire was unrelated to the larger nearby East Anchorage fire that has been burning since Tuesday afternoon, police said.
Kevin Slats was accused of starting a fire in the wooded area near Elmore and Tudor roads. According to police, an officer noticed black smoke and flames there just after 8 a.m.
Anchorage Fire Department and wildfire crews in the area were notified. Firefighters were able extinguish the fire and the cause is being investigated, said police.
Slats was jailed on charges including negligent burning and failure to report a wildfire, police said.
Police reminded residents that outdoor fires remain prohibited during the current burn ban, which includes open-flame cooking fires, outdoor fireplaces, the burning of grass and yard debris, or any heat source that could potentially start a wildland fire.
Barbecues are allowed.