Red Flag Warnings are in effect for hot, dry, and windy conditions in the Eastern Interior, U.S. Weather Service Zones 222, 223, 225 and 226, Friday, May 19, as an upper-level ridge builds over the area. In addition to the Red Flag Warnings the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection (DOF) is suspending Burn Permits for the DOF fire prevention areas of Tok, Delta and Fairbanks.
A strong low moving north in the Gulf of Alaska will be the driver of increasing northeast winds. This evening south winds will develop through Alaska Range passes with gusts to 55 mph through Saturday morning. A Wind Advisory has been issued for this area. Relative humidities will only recover to around 50% Friday night near the Delta River north of Donnelly Dome where south winds are present. Areas further north and west will be breezy and dry, but temperatures will remain in the 60s and lower 70s. On Saturday, temperatures will cool slightly and RHs will moderate. An isolated thunderstorm is not out of the question Saturday afternoon southeast of Tok to Chicken. The weather service will also continue to monitor the potential for a shortwave aloft moving into the eastern Interior from the east on Sunday afternoon. This may produce the first round of isolated afternoon thunderstorms of the summer in the eastern Interior.
For current information on DOF Burn Permits, call the hotline at; Tok, (907) 883-1413 ext. 2303, Delta, (907) 895-5483, and in Fairbanks, (907) 451-2631.
Categories: AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF), Fire Restrictions, Fire Weather, Red Flag Warning
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 