Smoke poured over the Canadian border into eastern Alaska this weekend, bringing poor air quality to communities from Southeast to the Interior.
The smoke is from wildfires in Canada including the Summit Lake Fire, which is burning hundreds of miles away in British Columbia. That fire started in late May, and firefighters have said it's still out of control.
Around Fairbanks, people are dealing with an uncomfortable combination of hot weather and poor air quality. Jason Laney, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fairbanks, said the Interior communities of Delta Junction and Tok will see the worst of smoke over the next week.
Laney urges people in those areas — especially the elderly, children, and people with certain health conditions — to stay indoors as much as possible.
“The best thing any of us can do if you're really susceptible to the bad air quality is try to stay indoors and try not to bring outdoor air into the home,” he said.
That last part can be difficult for some. The Interior is also under a heat advisory, and very few homes in the region have air conditioning.
Smoke also blanketed the Upper Lynn Canal in Southeast. Data from the Skagway Traditional Council’s air quality monitoring program showed dangerous levels for some groups on Monday afternoon.
“Skagway got up to an AQI over 100,” said Reuben Cash, the Skagway Traditional Council’s environmental program coordinator. “So folks who might have asthma or cardiovascular issues are going to be not just feeling ailments, but it's going to be unhealthy for them.”
On Monday, levels were even higher – the Air Quality Index approached 150. Above that threshold, it’s unhealthy for the general population to be outside. Cash said conditions improved both Sunday and Monday as the wind picked up and cleared out the area.
Data from air quality sensors in the Chilkat Valley showed levels were also elevated in Klukwan and Haines both Monday afternoon and over the weekend. Cash and meteorologists from the National Weather Service said rain and wind could help clear smoke out, but they expect it will take some time for the smoke to dissipate.
Paula Walbauer, a spokesperson for the British Columbia Fire Service, said she expects to see similar fire conditions going forward.
“Tourists and people local to the area should anticipate that we’ll see these fires all summer long,” she said.
As of this morning, the Alaska Highway is open to both lanes of traffic west of Fort Nelson, where many of the fires are burning. The British Columbia Fire Service urges people travellers to prepare for delays and consider downloading the BC Wildfire app for updates on conditions.
KUAC's Shelby Herbert contributed reporting from Fairbanks.
