AIR QUALITY HEALTH ADVISORY (UPDATE)

Smoke from McHugh Creek wildfire affecting Anchorage

Mayor's Corner

7/21/2016

Anchorage - The Anchorage Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is discontinuing Tuesday’s health advisory for areas south of Anchorage. An overnight change of wind direction is allowing smoke from the McHugh Creek fire to move into Anchorage today. We are predicting “Moderate” air quality for Anchorage and Eagle River for Thursday due to smoke intrusion. Wildfire smoke concentrations will vary with your location in the city, rainfall, atmospheric mixing and wind direction.

We are initiating a new Health Advisory for Anchorage. Smoke concentrations at some locations may be considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. 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 they detect wildfire smoke odors. 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. Air quality levels and potential health impacts can be found on the Municipal Air Quality page. Go to http://www.anchorageair.info/ to find additional information concerning wildfires. Also find the following link

Link to Alaska DEC 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 Anchorage Health Department will continue to monitor and report conditions while there is likelihood of unhealthy air quality conditions. The current air quality forecast can be obtained by calling the Air Quality Hotline at 907-343-4899. Current state wide air quality conditions are available through ADEC’s Link to Short-term Air Quality Data for the Anchorage area.

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