Air quality alert issued for Fairbanks
by Staff report / newsroom@newsminer.com
2 months ago | 761 views | 10 10 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend | print
FAIRBANKS - An air quality alert has been issued in Fairbanks.

High levels of fine particulates are making the air unhealthy for sensitive groups, according to Jim McCormick, air quality specialist for the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

Cold still air is expected to persist through much of the weekend, which often leads to elevated pollution levels in the city.

People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion.

The borough suggests residents use oil furnaces when possible or burning seasoned wood without letting the fire smolder. Residents can also reduce unnecessary driving, use public transportation and plug in vehicles to reduce cold start emissions.

For additional information about Air Quality in the Borough, you can access the Borough’s web site at www.co.fairbanks.ak.us, then select the “Air Quality” link.

comments (10)
« akbearable wrote on Saturday, Nov 21 at 09:02 AM »
Lets put an outdoor boiler on every lawn, a 40 cord pile of green cottonwood uncovered next to each of them. Then light them all up at once (hint, use weed burner for 20 minutes to light). Maybe then the fed will finally allow Alaska to succeed from the union.
report abuse
« Yukonjohn wrote on Friday, Nov 20 at 10:36 PM »
Skippy, It was on channel 13, and you know how when they do the "test" the background of the alert is green and the writing is white? This background was RED with white writing. I told my girlfriend...hey, this is for real, there is something that has happened!! Then they started off saying that an unknown hazard was occurring in the Fairbanks North Star Bourough. I am still not positive of the wording, but that is close. Then they start about the air quality alert and how there is an inversion. Then they started with the woodstove bit, and how to burn your woodstove, and to not use it if possible, and to not overexert yourself if you fall into those categories, and don't drive anymore than you have to, or take mass transit. Holy Cow, I could not believe my ears. The Bourough will hear of my displeasure come Monday morning!!!
report abuse
« skippyagain wrote on Friday, Nov 20 at 10:05 PM »
Yukon John - No kidding TV alert too?

I was driving home from work and suddenly all programming ceases mid-sentence and I'm subjected to the emergency alert.

Well of course North Korea has launched those missiles right? Or the Big Earthquake has hit Anchorage and only sweet moments remain until the wave hits us and we are reduced to rubble...

Then the air quality report begins. Weird, I think. Then as I listen the "alert" morphs into "propaganda." What the heck?

Apparently the advisory is through the weekend (Saturday and Sunday.) One of their best recommendations is to "take the borough bus" - an interesting trick since it doesn't even run Sunday.

Perhaps they can improve the air quality by ceasing to blow smoke out of their ....

report abuse
« AKPilot wrote on Friday, Nov 20 at 09:27 PM »
One of the air quality specialists told me several other communities in the lower 48 would never meet the EPA 2.5PM guidelines. AND, they are not in an Arctic environment where they are burning wood & fossil fuels to keep warm. So why are we concerned about losing federal highway $$ to meet these guidelines? The other cities aren't.
report abuse
« MasonJar wrote on Friday, Nov 20 at 08:50 PM »
http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/factsheets/06-AQ-017wood.pdf

there is some scientific proof. Or perhaps from the American Lung Association?

http://www.alaw.org/air_quality/outdoor_air_quality/wood_smoke_pollution.html

Two independent sources one being a non-profit health organization, the other being a state run health monitoring organization.

I'm not saying that the sole perpetrator in the pollution problem is wood stoves, but there is enough research and data from other states as well as our own to empirically prove that wood stoves do contribute significantly to the poor air quality levels. just my 2 cents though
report abuse
« AKJoe wrote on Friday, Nov 20 at 08:32 PM »
I would like to see the scientific proof that the fine particulates are from wood smoke.
report abuse
« dirttramp wrote on Friday, Nov 20 at 07:05 PM »
Ahh, the weather outside is frightful and the fire is so delightful...
report abuse
« Yukonjohn wrote on Friday, Nov 20 at 06:32 PM »
And so now it begins. I have been here shy of 29 yrs, and today was the FIRST air quality alert I have ever heard on the TV. They are shooting the first volley over the bow of woodstove owners in the borough. We need to let them know that this will not be tolerated. We need to let the EPA know that we will not accept their mandates, just because they think we should. I hope everyone that did not vote for Tammy Wilson is happy with their choice today. Especially if they heat with wood.
report abuse
« Sweet71 wrote on Friday, Nov 20 at 06:15 PM »
Why no advise to businesses to stop burning their old used car oil?
report abuse