Smoke prompts cancellation of Poker Flat Research Range tour

Submitted by Amy Hartley
Phone: (907) 474-5823
08/19/04

Due to smoky conditions throughout the Interior, today’s public tour of Poker Flat Research Range is cancelled. A strong high-pressure system is trapping smoke from numerous wildfires in the area. Smoke density has reduced visibility in the Fairbanks area to one mile, and may drop as low as one-quarter mile by the weekend, according to the Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. Because of poor visibility and the health risks of spending extended amounts of time outdoors, today’s 1:30 p.m. tour of Poker Flat Research Range is cancelled.

Poker Flat Research Range is located 30 miles north of Fairbanks on the Steese Highway. The 5,132-acre rocket range is operated and maintained by the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Contact: Amy Hartley: Information Officer, Geophysical Institute, (907) 474-5823.