Single Publication

 ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
 Division of Air Quality
 
 AIR QUALITY ADVISORY Southwest and Aleutians Alaska #2022-F15
 
Thursday, June 23, 2022LOCATION(S) IMPACTED: Southwest and northern Aleutians Alaska will be impacted by wildfire smoke the Lime Complex fires located in the southwest region.

TIME/DATE OF UPDATE: Thursday June 22, 2022 10:00 AM.VALID TIME: Thursday June 22, 2022 10:00 AM to Monday June 27, 2022 2:00 PM, advisory will be issued until end of the event.

TIME/DATE OF THE NEXT REPORT: Monday June 27, 2022 2:00 PM, if needed.

ADVISORY: The Lime Complex in Southwest Alaska continues to burn and produce smoke. The high pressure’s hot/dry conditions will allow for drying of the fuels and increased fire activity through the weekend. Winds through Friday will transport the smoke from the Lime Complex to the southeast, as winds shift during the weekend except more of central southwest to be impacted by smoke. The Apoon Pass and East Fork fires remain under low clouds, activity is at a minimum. When the clouds dissipate and clear skies make way for hot/dry conditions, those fires could see some growth. The Air Quality will vary between GOOD and UNHEALTHY depending on wind flow and proximity to the fires. In the image below, highlighted yellow area, is the forecasted impacted area associated with this advisory. See the table below for more guidance on the Air Quality Categories and Cautionary Statements.
 
Be aware that areas immediately downwind of any fire will experience HAZARDOUS levels of smoke. Generally, worse conditions occur overnight and during the early morning hours, as theatmosphere cools and brings smoke to the surface. During the day, surface heating will mix smoke and carry it upwards, temporarily improving air quality.
 
SMOKE AND PUBLIC IMPACT: This is an area forecast, and as such is a general forecast for portions of Southwestern Interior Alaska. Smoke intensity will vary depending on precise location and local wind flow patterns. Smoke concentrations will be such that they could impact public health at times. It is advised that travelers check local weather as smoke conditions may vary considerably from one locality to the next. The most recent weather observations for the surrounding impacted areas may be found on the Federal Aviation Administration Weather Cams homepage at https://weathercams.faa.gov/.
 
In smoke impacted areas, DEC advises people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion.

The following table contains the cautionary statements for the Air Quality for Particle Pollution.

Air Quality Category                  Cautionary Statements
Good                                                  None
Moderate                                            Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups     People with heart or lung disease, the elderly and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
Unhealthy                                           People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion
Very Unhealthy                                    People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should avoid any outdoor activity; everyone else should avoid prolonged exertion
Hazardous                                          Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should remain indoors
 
When air quality data is unavailable, the following Air Quality Smoke Reference Guide may be used to estimate air quality levels and potential health impacts:

Visibility                   Air Quality
10+ miles                 Good
6 - 9 miles                Moderate
3 - 5 miles                Unhealthy for sensitive groups
1.5 - 2.5 miles          Unhealthy
0.9 - 1.4 miles          Very Unhealthy
0.8 miles or less        Hazardous

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For information on this advisory, contact Mark Smith with the Division of Air Quality at 907-269-7676.