LOCATION(S) IMPACTED: Central Beaufort Seacoast and Brooks Range.

Several large fires in Interior Alaska are affecting air quality across the State. Smoke is being reported in several locations along the North Slope, and these conditions are expected to continue through the evening. Overall air quality for Northern Alaska will be predominantly good to moderate, with several areas reporting unhealthy air quality.

The forecast for the Central Beaufort Seacoast is for mostly cloudy skies, and winds to begin picking up from the east/northeast through Wednesday. This should allow for the smoke that has made its way north to clear out of the area. For the Brooks Range, expect decreasing clouds this evening and partly cloudy skies on Wednesday. Winds will begin shifting to be from the east tomorrow, which will likely allow smoke to keep reaching communities such as Umiat and Anaktuvuk Pass.

Keep in mind 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 the atmosphere cools and brings smoke to the surface. During the day, surface heating will mix smoke and carry it upwards, temporarily improving air quality. Hot, dry weather will lead to extensive fire activity, dramatically increasing smoke production, and thus causing the worst visibilities to occur in the late afternoon and early evening hours.