By Robert Hannon
Fairbanks, AK – The National Weather Service is keeping in place for at least another two days a Dense Smoke Advisory for most of Interior Alaska. The Weather Service cautions visibility in many communities will be reduced to a mile or less.
It is more than a week since the heavy blanket of smoke has extended across the Interior, making travel difficult for small aircraft and troubling the health of many residents.
In Fairbanks the Borough is classifying the air quality as Hazardous. Officials recommend everyone avoid any outdoor exertion; they say people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should remain indoors.
Based on weather predictions they expect smoke levels in the 250-600 micrograms per cubic meter today.
Particulate levels at 7am in downtown Fairbanks were around 242 micrograms per cubic meter, which is very high for this time of year. Particulate levels in outlying areas may be higher.
In fire news: The Central Complex, 100 miles northeast of Fairbanks. With temperatures and humidity moderated by the heavy smoke, fire behavior was also moderate and consisted mainly of short range spotting, tree torching, and short crown runs. The southwest flank of the Bolgen Creek Fire continues to be active, but with slower advances than during the past two days. Once the smoke inversion cleared in the afternoon, air operations were used extensively for crew support, bucket work and reconnaissance. The critical section of perimeter south of Central, and northeast of Crooked Creek is in good condition following two days of mop-up. Burnout operations are continuing along the Steese Highway, west of Central and north of Crooked Creek, into the Porcupine Creek drainage. Hazard tree removal along the Steese Highway from Central to Quartz Creek is continuing. All twelve Type 2 crews assigned to the Central Complex are Alaska village crews. Five Type 1 crews are from the Lower 48. The Northern Rockies National Incident Management Team working the complex is holding an Open House. The public is invited to take a free tour of the Central Complex Fire Camp at Circle Hot Springs at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 22nd. Total acreage is now estimated at 417,000.
The Taylor Complex, near Tok. Fire was active again on the Porcupine Fire. The continuing burnout operation from Wolf Lake to the Tanana River was discontinued when a thunder cell with rain made for wet fuels. Fire activity increased on the southern end of the Chicken Fire around milepost 42 on the Taylor Highway. This caused some traffic delays. Engines will continue to work in the area today to keep the road open and escorting vehicles only as necessary. The Billy Creek Fire was not flown due to dense smoke in the area. The Gardiner Creek Fire experienced moderate fire activity. Dense smoke in the Tok area put a hold on air operations, and burnout work was halted due to thunderstorm activity which brought moderate precipitation to the burnout area. If visibility improves today, fire personnel will construct a helispot and assess the need for structure protection in the Sand Creek drainage. Burnout operations will continue on constructed line from the south of Wolf Lake east to the Tanana River on the Porcupine Fire. Hose lays, bucket drops, and burnout will be used on trouble spots northwest of the town of Chicken. There are five Type 1 crews assigned to this complex including three Alaska crews and two from the Lower 48. There are also seven Type 2 Alaska village crews. Total acreage is now estimated at 1,199,230.
Statistics Total Acres Burned this Year 5,244,729 Total Fires Year-to-Date Statewide 611 Fires Currently Active 97 Active Fire Summary
There are currently 97 active fires in Alaska, 11 of which are staffed. The remaining fires are in various stages of suppression and monitor status. There were three new fires reported yesterday. One each in the Kenai, Copper River and MatSu areas. All three were under one acre in size. Five fires have been declared out in the last 24 hours, including two of the new starts.
Central Complex Staffing A Type 1 Incident Management Team from the Northern Rockies is currently in command of the fire along with 17 crews, 6 helicopters, 13 engines, 14 dozers, 13 water tenders and a total of 639 personnel.
Taylor Complex Staffing An Alaskan Type 2 Incident Management Team is currently in command of the fire along with 12 crews, 1 dozer, 6 helicopters, 11 engines, 3 water tenders and a total of 385 personnel.
Weather Summary: A strong upper-level ridge of high pressure will remain centered over the northern third of Alaska today and tomorrow. This will keep warm, dry conditions in place with winds northeast to east up to 15 mph. The high pressure system will gradually weaken by early next week, allowing some cooler air to filter in from the north. There is still no sign of significant precipitation through mid-week, possibly longer. High and low temperatures will remain unchanged or a degree cooler in most areas of interior Alaska. Relative humidity also remains largely unchanged over the next 24 hours.
Restrictions and Closures
There are various burning restrictions across the State of Alaska. Before you burn or make campfires, check with your local State Forestry office. The Steese Highway continues under a road advisory. The highway is open all the way to Circle but heavy fire traffic, smoke and falling trees are causing hazardous conditions from Milepost 107 at Eagle Summit to the village of Circle, and along Circle Hot Springs Road. The Taylor Highway and Alcan Highway are very smoky but remain passable. All roads within the fire complexes should be driven with extreme caution. Circle Hot Springs Resort is not open to the general public at this time. Hunters are advised to avoid the area north of the mine tailings up Crooked Creek due to fire operations and possible fire runs up the valley. Hunters are asked to use EXTREME caution with firearms as there are many firefighters in the Central Complex area. The Alaska State Parks Granite Tors Trail at 39-mile Chena Hot Springs Road remains closed due to increased fire danger. The campground remains open. The Tors Fire, located across the Chena River from 43 Mile Chena Hot Springs Road is mapped at approximately 3,850 acres. Temporary Flight Restrictions remain in place for the Central Complex (TFR-8634), Taylor Highway Complex (TFR-8327), and Gulkana (TFR-8229).
Smoke Respite Shelters in the Fairbanks Area Individuals seeking a break from the smoke can get relief at the Noel Wien and North Pole Libraries during regular business hours. For drop-in visits 24 hours a day, a smoke respite center has been established in the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital McGowan room. The hospital is located at 1650 Cowles Street. For more information, contact the hospital at 452-8181.