Fires, Smoke and major (multiple) TFR’s are a serious problem for those North bound trying to reach Alaska this week.
Over the past two days, I’ve heard from several pilots trying different routes. BEST route (today, May 19) appears to be thru Kalispel, customs at Cranbrook, thence Valemount (self-serve) or McBride (self-serve), Mackenzie, The Trench, Watson Lake, …

Two+ planes (at least) flying that route today. I hope to have an update by late afternoon.

C-206 went East of the Continental Divide yesterday. Cut Bank, Del Bonita (Customs), thence east of Calgary/Edmonton, MANY Eastward long-leg, deviations in VERY marginal VFR. In that pilot’s words, “Ultimately, it was NOT worth it.” They made Watson Lake safely though.

An awesome website for visual impression of fires & smoke situations: https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/

I’ll update this thread with other pilot reports if/when I receive them. I'll also update http://fly2ak.com Stay safe!

All manner of resources posted here as well:

https://backcountrypilot.org/knowledge- ... -resources

Here's a picture of Ryan Field, near Kalispell Montana, today 5/19/23

Im based in Dease Lake(CYDL) for the summer. If anyone is coming this way and wants a PIREP just send me a PM. The airport doesn't have 100LL.

tedwaltman wrote:Here's a picture of Ryan Field, near Kalispell Montana, today 5/19/23

That's nasty. I suppose we'll see it in another day or so.

A couple guys headed southbound from Anchorage landed in Spokane a few days ago and came through the trench. Said it was very sketchy marginal VFR most of the way.

It seems the Trench remains the most viable way to head N or S thru Canada. Pictures (clear at Ft Graham) this past Saturday 5/20 and yet socked in lower near Tsay Keh same day. Pilot was able to make it from Ft Graham to Watson Lake with no issues though.

July 2, 2023 Fire & Smoke Update

Fires, Smoke and major (multiple) TFR’s continue to be a serious problem for those North-bound trying to reach Alaska this week.


Over the past two days, I’ve heard from several pilots trying different routes. BEST route (today, July 2) appears to be thru Kalispel, customs at Cranbrook, thence Valemount (self-serve) or McBride (self-serve), Vanderhoof (self-serve), Terrace (fuel), Ketchikan (U.S. Customs)


Lots of fire NOTAMS still along the Alaska Hwy route (not recommended). Image here


An awesome website for visual impression of fires & smoke situations: https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/

Here's another British Columbia only fire status website: https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/map


Major fire on the W side of Williston Lake along the Trench. Pilot report from July 1: "Visibility 1/4 mile (Southbound). Could not turn around back to Watson Lake due to critical fuel past the 1/2 way point. Pressed on (all Ok)."


Pilot report from McKenzie today, July 2: "Canada prepositioning fire fighting aircraft at McKenzie." Hence, cannot (today) recommend The Trench route.


Stay safe!

Smoke seems to be a major issue still, however the coastal route doesn't appear to be smokey, but of course its the coastal route (which I have not yet taken). Any pireps on the coastal route?

I am headed up in 10 days or so. No PIREPS from the coast. The coast may be the only viable route….things certainly look dicey the The Trench!

How doable is the coastal route? Can it be done without a stop in Canada? Like for someone with basic med… asking for a friend!

Say 800 mile range

It can easily be done in a Husky.

Kurt