Don’t visit the Alaskan interior now if you expect to see wide open spaces. We’ve got thick smoke from forest fires to the north, south, and west. Rainfall we normally expect in August has not happened now for two summers in a row. Health respite centers have been opened for people with respiratory ailments. We’ve all been advised to stay indoors. But to do that with the windows closed is hot and stuffy. It’s either sweat or eat smoke. It’s been like this more or less for a few weeks, and may be clearing out soon. We can hope.

Interesting to note, an article in the local paper tells us that

This week, four U.S. senators–Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.–are expected in Alaska after traveling through Canada. The four are reportedly on tour to gather information about global warming.

I wonder if they are going to stop in and “see” what’s going on here. Someone should tell them to bring their gas masks.