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

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

What We Know

The claim states that Fairbanks, Alaska, has experienced over a hundred hours of visibility-reducing smoke for three consecutive years, which is asserted to be a first for the region. According to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, from 2022 to 2024, Fairbanks did indeed have more than 100 hours of smoke thick enough to reduce visibility to six miles or less during each of those summers (source-8). This data suggests a significant increase in smoke-related visibility issues in Fairbanks over these years.

Additionally, the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) has been monitoring air quality, particularly PM2.5 levels, which are often associated with smoke from wildfires. The monitoring data indicates that there have been several instances of air quality exceedances due to wildfire smoke in previous years, but the specific threshold of 100 hours of visibility-reducing smoke has not been consistently documented prior to this three-year period (source-1, source-2).

Analysis

The assertion that Fairbanks has experienced over a hundred hours of visibility-reducing smoke for three consecutive years is supported by credible data from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. This data is derived from systematic monitoring of air quality and visibility conditions, which enhances its reliability. The claim's validity is further reinforced by the lack of prior records indicating such a prolonged period of visibility-reducing smoke, suggesting that this phenomenon may indeed be unprecedented in Fairbanks (source-8).

However, it is essential to consider the context of the data. The term "visibility-reducing smoke" can be subjective and may vary based on local environmental conditions and measurement standards. While the claim is substantiated by the data, the interpretation of what constitutes "visibility-reducing" can differ. Furthermore, the monitoring methods and the classification of smoke events as "Exceptional Events" can influence the overall assessment of air quality and visibility (source-3, source-6).

Conclusion

The claim that Fairbanks experienced more than a hundred hours of visibility-reducing smoke for three consecutive years is Partially True. While the data confirms that this has occurred from 2022 to 2024, the assertion of it being the "first time" this has happened lacks comprehensive historical context. There may have been similar occurrences in the past that were not documented or measured in the same way, which complicates the claim's absolute validity.

Sources

1. Air Quality | Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK - FNSB
2. Fairbanks State Office Building & Ncore Monitoring Data - PM2.5
3. Wildfire Smoke Information - Alaska
4. Hazard Mapping System Fire and Smoke Product
5. PDF Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Fairbanks North Star ...
6. Exceptional Events Waiver Request 2022-2023
7. FNSB PM2.5 Air Quality Presentations - Alaska
8. Alaska's Changing Wildfire Environment | Fire Research ...