AIR QUALITY HEALTH ADVISORY

Smoke from McHugh Creek wildfire affects Anchorage

Mayor's Corner

7/19/2016

Anchorage - The Anchorage Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is alerting citizens that wildfire smoke concentrations at some locations in the Municipality may be considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. McHugh Creek wildfire smoke is affecting Turnagain Arm communities and some South Anchorage locations. Smokey conditions will vary around Anchorage depending on location and time of day.  

Air pollutants have a greater affect on children, the elderly and individuals with health conditions, such as heart and lung ailments. Those who are especially sensitive to air pollution are advised to remain indoors whenever concentrations are forecasted to reach or exceed levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups (i.e. an air quality index (AQI) value exceeding 100). Such individuals are also advised to avoid strenuous exercise whenever a health advisory is in effect. Anyone with health concerns is advised to contact their health care provider.

Wood smoke is composed of very fine particles and measured at two area monitoring sites located in North East Anchorage and Eagle River. 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

6 - 9 miles

3 - 5 miles

1.5 - 2.5 miles

0.9 - 1.4 miles

0.8 miles or less

Good

Moderate

Unhealthy for sensitive groups

Unhealthy

Very Unhealthy

Hazardous

Instructions for use of this guide can be found on the Municipal Air Quality page. Go to http://www.anchorageair.info/ for 'Using Visual Distance to Assess Smoke Levels' and a link to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s (ADEC) Wildfire Smoke Health Q&A.

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.

The National Weather Service is warning that weather conditions are conducive to the spread of wildfire. The Anchorage Health Department will continue to monitor and report conditions while there is the likelihood of unhealthy air quality conditions. The current air quality forecast can be obtained by calling the Air Quality Hotline at 907-343-4899. Check here for AEDC’s updated statewide air quality conditions.

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