UPDATE: Air Emergency Canceled for the Mendenhall Valley

UPDATE (11:38AM on December 21):

Air Emergency CANCELED:

Due to increasing air movement and improving air quality in the Mendenhall Valley, the City and Borough of Juneau has canceled its Air Emergency, effective immediately. The City would like to thank Valley residents affected by the Air Emergency for their cooperation, especially during the cold weather conditions.

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Due to the current weather conditions in the Mendenhall Valley, the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) has issued an Air Emergency effective immediately.

The area covered by this Air Emergency extends from the Airport north to the Mendenhall Glacier, west to Montana Creek, south along the east shore of Auke Lake, and includes the east half of the Mendenhall Peninsula.

What does this mean?

The Air Emergency means that all woodstove and fireplace burning in the Mendenhall Valley is prohibited except for pellet stoves, until the Air Emergency is cancelled.

Why is CBJ calling an Air Emergency?

Over the past 24 hours particulate matter has exceeded standards for air quality and is unhealthy for people with respiratory issues.  When inhaled, fine particulates from woodsmoke can lodge themselves deep into the lungs and bloodstream and significantly impact children, elders, and those with breathing difficulties.

Staff will keep monitoring the concentration throughout the night and into tomorrow.  This emergency will be canceled as soon as the levels return to healthy standards.

For an update on the status of this Air Emergency, please call 907-586-5252, option 4, or visit the CBJ Facebook page and Juneau.gov.