New Anchorage ordinance could change criminal fire code

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance introduced an ordinance that could expand criminal charges for a larger range of negligent burning within the municipality.

Anchorage municipal code already prohibits “criminally negligent burning” that damages the property of another, making it a class A misdemeanor.

The new ordinance adds to that code, specifically prohibiting a person from lighting or building fires on another person’s property without consent, on sidewalks, or in violation of a burn ban.

“We really need meaningful legal tools to be able to deter dangerous fires before it’s too late, instead of after the fact,” LaFrance said.

Current municipal code also penalizes failure to control or report a fire that is “endangering life or a substantial amount of property.”

A person found in violation of the code could face up to a year in jail if convicted, but LaFrance said that would not necessarily always be the case, and that people can be cited for violations.

“It would depend on circumstances,” LaFrance said. “I imagine in some cases it would be pretty obvious and there is discretion that those first responders, you know, can use too.”

If charges are issued for such a crime, LaFrance said she felt confident they could be followed up on.

“It would follow our legal processes,” LaFrance said. “And we have a fully staffed prosecution department and we’re very serious about enforcement of infractions of any of our laws here.”

In several cases of wildfires, the cause has been linked to homeless encampments throughout the municipality, however, LaFrance said that was not the sole focus of the new ordinance

“Well, this ordinance, this proposed code change isn’t directed at any individuals or any group,” LaFrance said. “And it’s focused on deterring dangerous fires and ensuring that, you know, we’ve got a meaningful tool to prevent these fires before they become big and out of control.”

Going into wildfire season, the administration’s greatest focus in regards to this ordinance is public safety.

“We are providing our first responders with a way to meaningfully deter dangerous fires and to enforce, whether it’s the burn ban or other prohibitions around fires on sidewalks, streets, right of way, or on private property,” LaFrance said.

See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com

Copyright 2025 KTUU. All rights reserved.