Fact Check: Fairbanks experienced more than a hundred hours of visibility-reducing smoke for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, marking the first time this has occurred.

Fact Check: "Fairbanks experienced more than a hundred hours of visibility-reducing smoke for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, marking the first time this has occurred."

What We Know

The claim states that Fairbanks, Alaska, experienced more than a hundred hours of visibility-reducing smoke for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022. According to a report from the Alaska Fire Science Consortium, it was noted that from 2022 to 2024, Fairbanks did indeed experience more than 100 hours of smoke thick enough to reduce visibility to six miles or less for the first time in three consecutive summers (source-2). However, this report does not provide specific data for the years 2020 and 2021, leaving some ambiguity about whether the same conditions were met in those years.

Additionally, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation provides information on air quality and smoke conditions, emphasizing the health impacts of wildfire smoke and the advisories issued during significant smoke events (source-1). However, specific metrics on visibility-reducing smoke hours for the years in question are not detailed in the available data.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim primarily comes from the Alaska Fire Science Consortium's report, which indicates that the years 2022 to 2024 marked a significant trend in visibility-reducing smoke conditions for Fairbanks. However, the lack of specific data for 2020 and 2021 raises questions about the accuracy of the claim as it pertains to those years. The report does not explicitly state that the conditions were met in 2020 and 2021, which is crucial for validating the claim.

Moreover, while the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation tracks air quality and smoke conditions, the available data does not clearly delineate the number of hours of visibility-reducing smoke for the specific years mentioned in the claim. The absence of comprehensive data for those years suggests that further research is needed to substantiate the claim fully.

The sources used in this analysis are credible, with the Alaska Fire Science Consortium being a reputable organization focused on wildfire research and management. However, the lack of detailed historical data for the specific years in question limits the reliability of the claim.

Conclusion

Needs Research: The claim that Fairbanks experienced more than a hundred hours of visibility-reducing smoke for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 cannot be fully verified based on the available data. While there is evidence of significant smoke conditions in 2022, the absence of specific data for 2020 and 2021 means that further investigation is necessary to confirm the accuracy of the claim.

Sources

1. Wildfire Smoke Information - Alaska
2. Alaska's Changing Wildfire Environment | Fire Research
3. Fairbanks NCore Air Quality Monitoring Data - PM10
4. FIRE WEATHER SUMMARY 2020
5. Home | Alaska Wildfires Smoke Forecast Page
6. Hazard Mapping System Fire and Smoke Product
7. Air Quality | Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK - FNSB
8. PDF Alaska Agricultural Statistics 2022 Annual Bulletin