In his column this week, science writer Ned Rozell revisits the summer of 2004, which was haunted by relentless wildfires in Interior Alaska:
The Akasofu Building on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus is bathed in smoke during the dramatic summer of 2004.
In summer 2004, a Vermont-sized patch of Alaska burned in wildfires. That hazy summer was the most extreme fire year in the half-century people have kept score.May 2004 was warmer than average in Interior Alaska, ground zero for Alaska’s fires for two reasons: Its summer heat and abundance of black spruce, which a firefighter once described as “gasoline on a stick.”The first hint of something unusual came May 31.
In late June and early July came an unusual five days of dry winds wheezing from the Brooks Range and the uplands of the Yukon River. The fires, born of lightning strikes in May and June, “were fanned into conflagrations,” Richmond wrote. “High temperatures were often 10 to 20 degrees cooler than they would have been under clear sky conditions,” Richmond wrote.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Media Pop-ups in the HamptonsAs the well-heeled flock to the Hamptons this summer, media outlets are following suit with some pop-up events. Here’s what’s on the books so far.
Read more »
Dear Abby | Woman constantly revisits past decisions in her mindI am often haunted by vivid memories of the past, times in my life that I regret or cringe about
Read more »
Jodie Foster to Star in ‘True Detective’ Season 4The upcoming Alaska-set season will be called 'True Detective: Night Country.'
Read more »
Alaska Department of Fish and Game warns of aggressive river otters at Conner’s BogA sign near the parking lot at Connor’s Bog Dog Park warns residents of aggressive river otters.
Read more »
Summer House Star Paige DeSorbo Shares On-Trend Summer Outfits and Beauty Must-Haves - E! OnlineFeel like you were styled by a Bravo star with these summer looks picked out by Paige DeSorbo.
Read more »