LOCATION(S) IMPACTED: Chukchi Sea Coast, Kobuk Valley, Noatak Valley, Baldwin Peninsula and Selawik Valley, Seward Peninsula, Eastern Norton Sound and Nulato Hills, Koyukuk Valley, Yukon Valley, Upper Kuskokwim Valley .

Several large fires in Interior Alaska are affecting air quality across the State. Smoke in the Western Interior has been reported as far north as Kivalina, and as far west as Nome, with several observations across the region. Smoky conditions are expected to continue through Wednesday and may begin to clear out in most locations on Thursday as the winds shift to be from the west. Overall air quality for the Western Interior will be predominantly good to moderate, although some locations are approaching very unhealthy air quality.

The forecast for the Chukchi Sea Coast, and the Lower Kobuk and Noatak Valleys is for mostly cloudy skies and winds generally from the east on Wednesday. Clouds will hang around into Thursday, and the winds will shift to be more from the west/southwest. This may prevent the smoke from the Interior from reaching this area. For the Baldwin and Seward Peninsulas and the Selawik Valley, mostly cloudy skies are expected with winds shifting to be from the south this evening. Smoke will likely continue to reach this area until at least Thursday when winds from the southwest move into the area along with a chance for showers for the Seward Peninsula. For the rest of the Western Interior, light and variable winds on Wednesday will gradually become more from the south/southwest in the evening but remain light enough that smoke is still expected to reach the region through Thursday.

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.