Alaska is on Fire! Tips for coping with the smoke.....

As I write this, there are more than 80 wildfires burning in the state of Alaska. On the NASA image to the left, the red dots represent current fires. All the science in a nutshell: no matter which way the wind blows, it brings with it smoke to the greater Fairbanks area. 

Although the majority of the blazes are located in the Interior region, the Eklutna Lake fire has swollen to a respectable 1300 acres and is visible from some parts of Anchorage.

The blessings of living in The Last Frontier are many, but there is no question that when we opt to live close to nature, sometimes nature comes too close for comfort. Here are a few tips for staying healthy while the smoke keeps rolling in:


     * Become familiar with the "visibility guides" for gauging air quality. Alaska has air quality widely available, but its nice to be able to make an educated guess on your own.

     * Stay inside when smoke is severe.

     * To keep that last tip helpful, do what you can to have the cleanest possible indoor air. Home air cleaners/filters can be helpful. You can also take advantage of the brief breaks between smoke-laden winds, and air out the house when the outdoor air is clean.

     * Talk to your doctor if you are elderly, have young children, lung or heart conditions, or any other special circumstances that  make you more sensitive to poor air quality.

     * Pray for rain! (Okay, that won't help you breathe easy, but we could REALLY use some rain)

Some signs smoke is affecting your health include eye irritation, scratchy throat, and cough. More severe symptoms include worsening of existing conditions, severe cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. As in any other circumstance, contact your physician or seek medical attention if poor air quality is affecting your health!