An increase in precipitation across west central Alaska and the Tanana Valley will reduce smoke impacts in many areas; however, the Upper Yukon Valley continues to be relatively dry, and westerly winds will bring in smoke from other areas. Smoke… Read More ›
Air Quality
Smoke Outlook 7/31-8/01: Winds will improve air quality throughout most of Alaska
Though drought persists in the central Interior and warmer, drier weather may cause an increase in fire activity today, winds and recent precipitation trends have resulted in generally better air quality for the Fairbanks, Anchorage and Southeast Alaska regions. North… Read More ›
Smoke Outlook 7/26-7/27: Rain washing out daytime smoke, Upper Yukon still dry
Daytime air quality will be good to moderate across the state, with smoke expected to settle overnight and/or Saturday night in northern areas, lifting again in late morning. While rain has reached Fairbanks and North Pole, dry conditions persist in… Read More ›
Smoke Outlook 7/24-7/25: Rain moving northward is helping disperse smoke
Widespread rain in southern Alaska brought relief from smoky conditions and is moving northward. With the rainfall, the smoke is dispersing to the north, but smoke will settle in again overnight across northern Alaska. By tomorrow, smoke in the north… Read More ›
Smoke Outlook for 7/22 – 7/23: Warmer temperatures return, heavy smoke in Upper Yukon zone
A high pressure system is returning to Alaska, bringing warmer temperatures back to fire areas and an increase in fire activity. Fuels in Alaska especially dry in the Upper Yukon Valley where numerous fires are burning, with heavy smoke being… Read More ›
Smoke Outlook for 7/20 – 7/21: Weather moderating in many areas, diminished levels of smoke anticipated
Temperature is moderating in many areas of Alaska including the Upper Yukon Zone. Wind gusts up to 30 mph in the Upper Yukon Zone is expected for today and will have an impact to fire activity. Smoke is forecasted to… Read More ›
Smoke Outlook for 7/19 – 7/20: Fire weather generally moderate; Upper Yukon still extreme
Cooler weather and rainfall have decreased fire activity in some Alaskan communities, while dry and warmer temperatures continue to promote fire activity elsewhere across the state. There are currently 215 fires burning across Alaska, producing varying amounts of smoke that… Read More ›
Smoke Outlook for 7/18 – 7/19: Smoke moving back into Southcentral communities
As activity at the Swan Lake Fire picks up, wind patterns are once again expected to push smoke into Cooper Landing and Sterling communities, typically during morning and evening times. Forecasters are calling for higher temps to begin making its… Read More ›
Smoke Outlook for 7/16 – 7/17: Increased temperatures will increase smoke conditions
Temperatures are forecasted to increase once again in the southern portion of the state including the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, and the Mat-Su valley. An increase in heat translates into lower relative humidity and more fire activity, which of course produces… Read More ›
Upper Yukon Zone fuel indices remain at near record levels
The Upper Yukon Flats remains the hottest and driest area of the state. Temperatures in the Upper Yukon zone will remain consistent in the 65 degree to 85 degree range with relative humidities between 35 percent and 45 percent. About… Read More ›