National Weather ServiceAlaskaFire Weather WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Fire Weather Watches in Alaska
The National Weather Service issued 2 fire weather watches for Alaska in 2025 and 8 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 27th most of any state. 2026 through September: 3, 60% below the average of 8 for those months in 2008-2025. Deltana and Tanana Flats was covered most often (40 times since 2008).
How many fire weather watches does Alaska get?
Every fire weather watch that covered part of Alaska. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2008 | 10 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Alaska get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Alaska?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deltana and Tanana Flats | 40 | 3 | August 5, 2023 |
| Eastern Alaska Range | 36 | 2 | August 5, 2023 |
| Copper River Basin | 31 | 2 | August 5, 2023 |
| Upper Tanana Valley and the Fortymile Country | 29 | 4 | August 8, 2023 |
| Middle Tanana Valley | 24 | 2 | August 5, 2023 |
| Central Interior | 23 | 3 | July 2, 2025 |
| Yukon Flats and Surrounding Uplands | 22 | 1 | August 5, 2023 |
| Denali | 21 | 2 | August 5, 2023 |
| Matanuska Valley | 15 | 0 | May 27, 2022 |
| Susitna Valley | 15 | 0 | May 27, 2022 |
| Upper Koyukuk Valley | 11 | 1 | July 2, 2025 |
| Southeastern Brooks Range | 8 | 0 | June 16, 2015 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a fire weather watch?
A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible in the coming days; it often comes before a red flag warning. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Alaska.