FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) – The city of Fairbanks set new record high temperatures over the weekend, including one set more than 100 years ago.
The high recorded Saturday at Fairbanks International Airport was 82 degrees, or 2 degrees warmer than the previous record set on that date in 1915. Fairbanks also set a new record on Friday of 79 degrees, well above the normal high of 60 for this time of year, according to The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
“(Saturday) was the first time we hit 80 degrees this season,” National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Metzger said.
Saturday’s heat also brought a new record for the low temperature on that day, which was 59 degrees. That was the highest minimum temperature recorded on May 14, breaking the previous record of 52 degrees set in 2005, Metzger said.
Tim Mowry, a spokesman for the Alaska Division of Forestry, said the fire service had been prepared for fire activity as temperatures reached the record-breaking numbers. But despite the warmer weather, Interior Alaska didn’t see any wildfires.
“That was one good thing with this hot weather, there was no lightning coming with it,” Mowry said. “Other than a fire down in Anchorage, things have been pretty quiet, which is a good thing.”
The forestry division lifted a burn suspension on Sunday when cooler weather moved in and brought rainfall. Burning is allowed as long as the fire is attended and surrounded by 10 feet of mineral soil, but fire danger remains very high, according to the Division of Forestry website.
Mowry urged people to remain cautious.
Forestry crews worked in Anchorage on Saturday to battle a wildfire that broke out at a park. The blaze was contained at about 2 acres. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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