Fairbanks airport crews run live-fire training through Friday

Large flames and smoke at Fairbanks International Airport this week are part of a scheduled exercise, not an emergency. Aircraft rescue and firefighting crews are conducting live-fire training Aug. 3 through Aug. 7. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, which owns the airport, says the public may see large flames, smoke and emergency vehicles working in the training area.

Crews will use a mobile propane-fired training prop, and all fires will be extinguished with water only. The department says the drills maintain firefighter proficiency and satisfy federal training requirements. Airport operations and normal business activities will not be affected.

The timing overlaps with a smoky Interior summer. The Tatlanika Fire has grown to about 2,000 acres southwest of Fairbanks and is being monitored rather than suppressed. Air-quality advocates and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation's Air Quality Division have noted that visible flames and smoke from a planned drill can be confused with wildfire activity, or can add to localized air-quality concerns while wildfire smoke already lingers over the area. Clear public notice, they said, helps residents tell training fires from uncontrolled ones. The drill itself is unrelated to the Tatlanika Fire. The department advises limiting exposure to wildfire smoke by staying indoors and reducing activity.

Fairbanks fire officials tell residents to call 911 for fire or smoke when they feel unsafe. Questions about the training go to the Airport Communications Center at 907-474-2530.