Smoke Outlook 7/27-7/28: Upper Yukon still impacted

By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 27, 2019

Map shows multiple fires in northern Alaska, with poor air quality in Fort Yukon and good air quality in Fairbanks and North Pole.

While the rest of the state has experienced relief from smoke impacts, along with cooler temperatures and higher humidity, Fort Yukon and the surrounding area remains warm and dry with more lightning expected. Fire potential likewise remains high there and smoke impacts are expected to continue.

Air quality remains good in southern Alaska, and smoke impacts from the Swan Lake Fire have been minimal for several days.

Chart shows air quality will be good to moderate in Fairbanks and North Pole, with poor air quality in Fort Yukon from July 26 to July 28.

North (Fairbanks, Denali National Park, Upper Yukon Valley)

Fire

The Upper Yukon Valley remains warm and dry with continued lightning activity. Fire is expected to remain active there. Elsewhere in the zone, increased relative humidity and cooler temperatures have minimized fire activity, aided by scattered rains and even some significant rainfall in places. However, drought conditions persist and there is still potential for fire activity to pick up with just a few warm, dry days.

Smoke

Precipitation received in the Tanana Valley has minimized smoke production on area fires, improving air quality in Fairbanks and North Pole today. A northerly wind may bring some haze from more active northern fires in overnight. Denali National Park will have good air quality today, but winds are expected to bring some smoke back into the Park tomorrow. Very light winds in the Yukon Flats will limit dispersion of smoke, creating very unhealthy to hazardous conditions in the vicinity of the Chalkyitsik Complex fires. Models show Fort Yukon being slightly less impacted than recent days, but with the light, variable winds, there will still be periods of “USG” or Unhealthy air quality, especially overnight. If you begin to notice health effects from smoke, you are encouraged to follow the “actions to protect yourself” listed below.

South (Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula, Cooper Landing)

Fire

Swan Lake Fire is approximately 102,229 acres in size with 72% of the planned objectives accomplished. Fire activity is expected to remain calm for several days.

Smoke

Continued relief form smoke impacts is expected. Widespread rain is occurring over the fire.

Copper River and Juneau

No smoke impact is expected in the Copper River Area, or Juneau.