09/08/19 - 3:00 p.m. - South Alaska Smoke Outlook

With cooler, wetter weather and reduced fire behavior, smoke from wildfires has diminished noticeably in the Southcentral Alaska region. The Smoke Outlook published on September 8, 2019 will be the final outlook produced for this area. A general 3-day outlook for air quality impacts from the Swan Lake, Tokaina 2, and McKinley fires is described below. Further information on air quality is available on the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center webpage here. On behalf of the Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program, thank you for allowing us to provide you with smoke outlooks in 2019.

General Outlook: Air quality in the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, and Susitna Valley regions is expected to remain unaffected by smoke from these fires. The Glennallen region may see an increase in localized smoke produced by the Tokaina 2 fire, confined to the vicinity of the fire.

Swan Lake Fire: Fire behavior is minimal at present, and this is expected to continue after yesterday’s rain and with forecasted higher humidity over the next few days. Smoke production should be very low and remain close to the fire area, possibly visible along the Sterling Highway within the fire perimeter.

Tokaina 2 Fire: Per the AICC situation report, this fire had creeping and smoldering with some torching observed as of September 7. Smoke around the fire area was minimal as of early September 8, and further smoke production is expected to remain low due to higher humidities and increased cloud cover. Haze may develop over the next few days and will likely be visible from the Glennallen Highway in the vicinity of the fire. Forecasted winds out of the south will continue to drift smoke in a northerly direction. Periods of light smoke may occur in the Glennallen region.

McKinley Fire: Fire behavior on this fire has been minimal for several days as crews continue mopping up, with very little smoke production. Smoke from this fire has stayed in the vicinity of the fire area without affecting air quality along the Parks Highway or adjacent communities, and this pattern is expected to continue.