KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | Wildfires and no rain a cause for air quality concern

Wildfires and no rain a cause for air quality concern

by Ted Land
Wednesday, July 8, 2009

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- High temperatures can be blamed for recent wildfires, and with no rain in days air quality is a concern.

Warm air is getting trapped at the surface because there's not a lot of breeze to mix things up.

"For this summer, especially after last summer when we didn't really see 70 degrees that often, it definitely feels warmer and very nice for the last week," said Renee Wise, National Weather Service forecaster.

Temperatures soared on Tuesday into the 80s with a record 81 at the National Weather Service office in Anchorage, and 93 out in Willow.

On top of that, more than 60 recent wildfires have filled the skies with a smoky haze.

Steve Morris is the Air Quality Program manager for the municipality and says that overall air quality is moderate with an index of 90.

"The haze does look bad," Morris said. "There's no question there's smoke in the area but the levels of particulate again really aren't a matter of concern for people."

It looks like these conditions will stick around for at least the next day or two with haze and temperatures close to the 80s.

Meanwhile, air quality closer to the fires in the Interior is unhealthy for some groups. People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should limit prolonged exposure and limit exercise.

Contact Ted Land at tland@ktuu.com