Fire activity may increase today in Tanana Valley, driven by several days of warmer, drier weather. Many areas of the state continue to experience drought conditions. Upper Yukon Valley fires remain active, with no wetting rain received in Fort Yukon or Chalkyitzik. Fairbanks and Denali National Park are expected to have good to moderate smoke conditions, while Juneau may receive more haze from Canadian fires.

North (Fairbanks, Denali National Park, Upper Yukon)

Fire

Drought conditions persist across the central interior, despite
recent precipitation. With warmer, drier weather expected
over the next few days, fire activity will pick up across much of the state. Fires remain active in the Upper Yukon Valley where little precipitation has been received. Fire activity has picked
up in west central Alaska, including the lower Tanana valley
and also in the southwestern portions of the state.

Smoke

With the increase in fire activity, the Tanana Valley is expected to have a little more smoke than previous days. Areas west of Fairbanks and North Pole may see moderate or even “USG” conditions today, indicating that sensitive individuals should reduce heavy outdoor activity. Fairbanks will see good to moderate conditions today. Air quality is expected to be good in Denali National Park today and tomorrow. With westerly winds, Fort Yukon will see better conditions today, but may see an increase in smoke on Wednesday. Air quality will continue to be poor in the vicinity of the active Chalkyitsik Complex fires.

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

Fire activity is minimal, due to widespread rain over the fire this past week. Swan Lake Fire is approximately 102,229 acres in size with 80% of the planned objectives accomplished. Drought conditions are still high in parts of the Kenai Peninsula and the Mat-Su Valley, and with several days of warm, dry weather, there is the possibility that fire activity could pick up.

Smoke

There are no expected smoke impacts in this area from the Swan Lake Fire or from fires to the north.

Copper River and Juneau

Models show that there is a possibility of light haze in northern SE Alaska, including Juneau, from fires in Canada today and as far south as Ketchikan on Wednesday. Overall, air quality should be generally good with occasional moderate in those
areas. Copper River Basin should not be impacted.

Other
A listing of activity for specific fires is available at:
https://fire.ak.blm.gov/, then AICC Situation Report.

Categories: Air Quality, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service, Fire Weather

Tags: Anchorage, Chalkyitsik, Denali National Park, drought, Fairbanks, Fort Yukon, haze, Juneau, Ketchikan, North Pole, smoke, Swan Lake Fire, Tanana Valley, Upper Yukon Valley, USG