190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 1

190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013

These complaints logged by the Fairbanks North Star Borough represent a subset of those reported regarding 

air pollution in the Woodriver Elementary School area. The Alaska Department of Environmental 

Conservation received approximately 187 additional complaints.

Many complaints were filed on behalf of multiple individuals. Many individuals who were harmed did not 

file a complaint. Individuals submitted their complaints under the presumption that action would be taken.

Prepared from public records from Air Quality Program, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Fairbanks, Alaska by 

Clean Air Fairbanks <cleanairfairbanks@gmail.com>. Complainant’s personal identifiers deleted unless 

involved in their professional responsibility.

Count ID # Occurrence Complainant Complaint

1. 15 8/20/2008 Woodriver 

neighbor

VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE 2 OUTDOOR WOOD BOILERS 

INSTALLED ON 5035 PALO VERDE ACROSS FROM WOODRIVER 

SCHOOL IN UNIVERSITY WEST AREA!! Very concerned that these OWBs 

are installed in zero lot line brand new homes, and right across from the school’s 

playground. This is a terrible health risk to everyone around, especially the 

children across the street.

2. 29 11/12/2008 Woodriver 

Elementary nurse

On 11‐11‐08 Woodriver School called DEC and complained that heavy wood 

smoke from two Outdoor Wood Boilers from across the street was coming 

directly into the school’s air intake system and making teachers and children 

nauseous and ill. Some teachers even said they may have to go home or not 

come in the next day if it was going to be that bad again. The State DEC office 

was closed Tuesday (holiday) so they could only respond on the following day. 

Moses Coss from DEC called Todd Thompson, FNSB Air Quality, Wednesday

the 12th, to see if he could accompany himself and Robin from DEC to the 

school to assess the situation.

Penny Dean waits to 

testify March 9, 2010
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 2

3. 32 11/13/2008 Woodriver 

Elementary nurse 

follow-up

Email from DEC: On November 12, Fairbanks ADEC and Fairbanks North Star 

Borough Air Quality staff responded to a wood smoke complaint from 

Woodriver Elementary School nurse. Upon arrival at the school, the PM 

monitor system did not pick up particulate levels to cause concern. However,

there was visible wood smoke from several nearby residential outdoor wood 

boilers with the average opacity above 50%. The smoke levels earlier in the 

week may have been heavier but may have dissipated with fluctuating air flows 

and wood boiler operations. Earlier in the week some students and teachers 

complained of sore throats at recess, and students had to use their inhalers more 

often. Currently the school will notify ADEC immediately and may shut off 

their ventilation system during peak smoke. Investigation and coordinated plan 

of action regarding a public health advisory and the sources of wood smoke is 

ongoing.

4. 48 12/16/2008 Woodriver 

neighbor

[Resident] wrote an email: I live behind Woodriver School on [street name 

deleted] Drive. I have only lived here for three years, but this is the worst winter 

for smoke that I have experienced. Today when I returned home from work (I 

am employed by the school district as a teacher), I could see the smoke hovering

in the schoolyard lights. I parked my car in the garage, closed the door, and 

stepped out into a very smoky garage. Luckily, my HRV keeps the smoke out of 

my home. I have asthma which reacts very negatively to smoke. But why do I 

have to pay for clean air to come into my home? Also, I cannot use cheap wood

to heat my house due to my allergies, so why do I have to breathe my neighbor’s 

byproducts from a cheaper source of fuel? When I come home, I like to take my 

dog out on a long walk to exercise both of us. Today this is impossible due to 

the poor air quality. I’d like to know what you are doing for the citizens of the 

North Star Borough on days such as today, when it is unhealthy to go outside in 

the few hours of sunlight that remain. Please let me know if you are enforcing 

air quality standards in my neighborhood. The residents and school children

deserve to breathe more easily than they can today.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 3

5. 53 1/12/2009 Woodriver 

Principal Star 

Patterson

Joan Hardesty [DEC] received a call from the principal of Woodriver School, 

Star Patterson, and she said a parent had requested she call (DEC) since her 

child was the second to go home today due to his/her asthma. The principal said 

smoke was blowing towards the school today; she’s gotten used to smoke in the 

school and hadn’t noticed until the parent pointed it out.

6. 54 1/12/2009 Woodriver parent Her kids go to Woodriver School, and she was there around noon to drop off

lunch. She noticed that inside the school it smelled very, very bad like wood 

smoke. Was very concerned for the well‐being of her children!!

7. 56 2/17/2009 Woodriver parent [Parent] called DEC and spoke with [Joan] Hardesty [DEC]. She had talked

with the school principal who suggested she call DEC. [Parent] said she had just 

picked up her child from school and the air quality was awful around the school, 

she could see smoke coming out of a stack about 50’ from the playground. She 

said her child said they could smell smoke in the hallways at school. She didn’t 

think it was right that one family could so adversely affect the entire school. She

asked if the area had been monitored and Hardesty said the FNSB had been out 

there with their monitoring van. Hardesty said DEC was aware of the problem 

and asked for her phone # for the record. Hardesty called Jim Conner at FNSB, 

Jim said he’d try and send someone out to read the smoke, and maybe send the 

van if it was available / close by. He, along with Hardesty, also thought that 

since it had been snowing, AQ wouldn’t have been an issue today.

8. 58 2/26/2009 Woodriver 

neighbor

The Outdoor Wood Boiler located at 58 Trinidad is absolutely a nuisance!! 

Burning all the time, smoking all the time. They are documenting the amount it 

smokes. It has a very corroded stack, 8 foot high. They approached the owner, 

and the owner went ballistic on them! Very hostile. The smoke is not only 

bothering [resident] and his neighbors but is blowing into the Woodriver 

Elementary School playground and school building!

9. 69 4/13/2009 Woodriver 

neighbor

They live [location deleted] to Woodriver School, [location deleted] to the 

Outdoor Wood Boiler on 58 Trinidad, and cannot go outside because of the 

smoke! They can’t open windows because it fills house up with smoke, and

can’t go outside to work because of smoke from the OWB. What can be done?

10. 70 4/16/2009 Woodriver 

neighbor

[Resident] left message on Todd’s phone about the OWB on 58 Trinidad, on 

how bad it was smoking at 11:23 a.m. Very concerned with the amount of 

smoke the unit produces.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 4

11. 72 4/17/2009 Woodriver 

neighbor

The OWB on 58 Trinidad is producing very thick smoke again at 10:23 a.m.!!

12. 73 4/17/2009 Woodriver 

neighbor

The OWB on 58 Trinidad is smoking really bad again at 11:20 a.m. SECOND 

COMPLAINT BEFORE NOON!

13. 75 4/30/2009 Woodriver 

neighbor

The Outdoor Wood Boiler on Trinidad was producing a lot of BLACK 

SMOKE, 8:20 p.m., and was very stinky outside. Couldn’t enjoy being outside 

in yard.

14. 77 5/1/2009 Woodriver 

neighbor

[Resident] called and left another message on Todd’s phone about the Outdoor 

Wood Boiler making a log of black smoke, smoking BAD!! This was at 10:12 

a.m.

15. 78 5/4/2009 Woodriver 

neighbor

9:40 p.m., the OWB at 58 Trinidad, producing black smoke, real 

bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

16. 80 5/5/2009 Woodriver 

neighbor

Todd [Thompson] talked to [resident] Wednesday morning about her complaint 

for the night before, 5-5-09 at 10:00 pm at night. [Resident] said the outdoor 

wood boiler at 58 Trinidad was producing thick smoke AGAIN, and has been 

every night for quite awhile. She is worried about what she is going to do when 

she starts working outside in the evenings, and has to open her windows at night 

when it starts getting too hot to keep them closed?????????????????

17. 81 5/6/2009 Woodriver 

neighbor

[Resident] left a message at 7:57 p.m., 5/6/09, and wanted to make another 

official complaint about the OWB on 58 Trinidad and the smoke it is producing. 

The boiler was producing dark smoke, and has been at night for quite awhile.

18. 82 5/7/2009 Woodriver 

neighbor

[Residents] came by the office and gave Todd [Thompson, FNSB employee] 

pictures of the OWB next door to them at 58 Trinidad. The pictures show the 

OWB smoking heavily. [Resident] has asthma, and described that ever since the 

OWB has been installed, last fall, that his asthma has been acting up, and can 

relate it directly to the wood smoke coming from the boiler

19. 83 5/16/2009 Woodriver 

neighbor

Neighbor at 58 Trinidad, next to Woodriver School, has been using his outdoor 

wood boilers, both of them, every day. Just calling in this day because it is real

bad, smoke, something needs to be done!

20. 11 10/16/2009 Woodriver 

neighbor

A coal burner, three houses down from [resident’s] house, is making a lot of 

smoke and is terrible. Her 4-year old daughter has asthma and can’t go outside. 

Very smelly. This is down Chena Small Tracks, near Prospect.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 5

21. 24 11/18/2009 Woodriver 

neighbor

[Resident’s] neighbor, at 58 Trinidad, has his OHH going again, and when she 

was outside today, the smoke was very bad. It was blowing towards the 

Woodriver School. Wanted to know if the borough and state had come up with 

any regulations yet.

22. 26 12/5/2009 Woodriver 

neighbor

[Resident] left a phone message on Saturday that the OWB on the corner of 

Trinidad and Palo Verde was bellowing a huge amount of black smoke, at 1:55

PM.

23. 30 12/9/2009 Woodriver 

neighbor

[Submitted by DEC] On December 8, 2009, the Fairbanks TV office received a 

message concerning excessive woodsmoke at the Woodriver Elementary School 

from the principal’s office. Inversion‐ FNSB advisory in effect. Many homes 

burning wood in their private residences in that subdivision. Response pending‐

due to work load.

24. 31 12/9/2009 Woodriver 

neighbor and 

parent

When picking up my daughter at Woodriver Elementary School at 3:30 pm 

today the air smelled as if someone in the vicinity was burning wet wood in an 

outdoor boiler. I also smelled that wet wood smell outside my house. There are 

two wood boilers very close to my property one behind my house on Purdue 

Way a cul‐de‐sac off of Stanford and one in the Yale Way cul‐de‐sac.

25. 35 12/16/2009 Woodriver 

School nurse

Bad smoke at school on this day.

26. 61 1/21/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

The air quality from wood smoke is very bad at the Woodriver Elementary 

school today.

27. 62 1/25/2010 Woodriver 

Principal Jeffery 

Mann

The outdoor wood boilers on the corner of Trinidad and Palo Verde is producing 

a lot of smoke. It is very bad, can smell the smoke on the kids after recess.

28. 63 1/26/2010 Woodriver 

neighbor

[Resident] is the grandmother of a child that attends Woodriver Elementary 

school. She understands the need to heat, but the smoke is very bad, coming out 

of the OWB on the corner of Trinidad and Palo Verde. Her clothes and vehicle 

smelled like smoke when she got home after dropping off her grandchild. She is 

very concerned about the health of the children at the school.

29. 64 1/26/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

[Resident] is a teacher of the Woodriver Elementary School and called in to 

complain about the amount of black smoke billowing out of the OWB on the 

corner of Trinidad and Palo Verde. It stinks, it is thick black smoke, and it is 

very concerning about how it is affecting the kids.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 6

30. 67 1/27/2010 Woodriver parent [Resident’s] son suffers from asthma. He attends Woodriver Elementary school, 

and has asthma related symptoms when it is smoky. [Son] had asthma attacks 

recently from the heavy wood smoke in the area.

31. 70 1/29/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

[Resident] is a teacher with the school district, and is teaching at Woodriver 

Elementary right now. [Resident] is an asthma sufferer, and at 9:00 am when he 

went to work at Woodriver School, it was very smoky, and affected him 

physically. His asthma started to act up. He was pretty sure he could smell coal.

32. 72 1/29/2010 Woodriver parent [Resident’s] daughter attends Woodriver School. The smoke is so bad in the 

area, and she is very concerned about her daughter’s asthma.

33. 73 2/1/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

[Resident] called in to report how very smoky and very stinky it was at the 

Woodriver School area.

34. 74 2/1/2010 Woodriver 

neighbor, 

grandparent

There is a strong smell of wood smoke around the Woodriver Elementary 

school this morning at 9:00 AM. I saw the borough [sniffer] van monitoring in 

the neighborhood, thank you for keeping a close observation on this area.

35. 81 2/9/2010 Woodriver parent There is a very strong smell of coal and wood smoke at Woodriver Elementary 

School, very bad!

36. 76 2/10/2010 Woodriver 

neighbor

Woodriver School is disgusting and has been for several weeks now. The coal 

smoke from a neighboring house has filled the school classrooms, hallways, and 

playgrounds for most of the winter. Nearly 500 people spend the majority of 

their day in this unhealthy, toxic building. Children run at recess and fill their 

lungs with pollution, teachers scurry through the halls breathing shallowly so as

not to be reminded of their unhealthy workplace. PLEASE CONTACT THE 

HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET AND TELL THE OWNERS WHAT THEY 

ARE DOING TO A BUNCH OF KIDS AND TEACHERS!

37. 78 2/10/2010 Former 

Woodriver 

neighbor

As a former Fairbanks resident, who still has family living there, I am very 

concerned with the air quality. I read the News-Miner daily and was very 

dismayed by the article about the air quality near Woodriver Elementary, where 

my niece attends school. It appears that officials would rather endanger the lives 

of children than to stand up to people who don’t mind polluting everyone’s

airspace.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 7

38. 79 2/10/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

The air quality near my daughter’s school ‐ Woodriver Elementary ‐ often 

seems quite bad. I noticed it this morning and heard other mention it as I walked 

into the school, so I thought I would write you a note. On warmer days like 

today, the students spend recess outdoors running around ‐ as they should. It 

worries me that my daughter might be exposed to health‐compromising levels of

particulates while she is doing otherwise healthy activities. I don’t know if 

FNSB currently monitors air quality outside the schools, but this would be a 

good precaution.

39. 80 2/10/2010 Woodriver 

Principal Jeffery 

Mann

On the night of Feb. 9th, at Woodriver Elem., during a late night meeting, the 

smoke was very bad, smelled very bad. And the next morning, Feb. 10th, at the 

school it was still very smoky and smelly!

40. 85 2/19/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

The classroom air is extremely bad due to the smell of woodsmoke. It began 

around 2pm today and is lasting through the end of the school day. As a teacher 

I am very concerned for my 1st grade students health with this level of 

exposure. For myself, my sinus membranes are burning, eyes are watery and a 

headache is beginning. My students also report similar issues and remark on the 

smell of smoke. Anything that can be done to enforce air quality and improve 

the situation is appreciated.

41. 86 2/19/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

The air inside Woodriver School became smelling like smoke around 2 pm. This 

has happened for a couple days now. I don’t know what’s causing it, but my 

students all put their shirt sleeves over their noses and mouths. It affected my 

voice, it was so strong. I have asthma and I could feel the constriction in my 

chest, so I know the smoke was inside the building.

42. 87 2/19/2010 Woodriver

teacher

Smoke coming in to Woodriver School today between 2 and 3 pm from across 

the street on Palo Verde. Very strong. Students and staff complaining of burning 

eyes and those with asthma complaining of bronchial problems, myself 

included. Today the students, while at their desks, were actually covering their 

noses with their shirts it was so strong. When is enough going to be enough with 

this problem? We have been dealing with this smoke for some time‐‐ this year 

and last‐‐and these stoves do not belong right across the street from an 

elementary school. It is bad. Come and visit us some afternoon. [Teacher], 

Second grade teacher, Woodriver Elementary School
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 8

43. 88 2/22/2010 Woodriver nurse Acrid, foul‐smelling smoke filled air outside Woodriver School.

44. 89 2/22/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

Strong smell of smoke in the parking lot when I arrived at Woodriver School 

this morning at 7 AM

45. 90 2/22/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

The air quality around Woodriver Elementary this morning is awful. I work at 

Woodriver and have a headache each and every day by mid‐morning. During 

the weekend, when I am not around the smoke, I have no headache. The air 

quality around the University West neighborhood MUST improve. No one 

should have to live with this daily.

46. 91 2/22/2010 Woodriver parent I am concerned about the air quality at Woodriver Elementary School. At 8:30 

am this morning, the air was smoky and had a strong wood odor.

47. 96 2/23/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

Approximately 11 am the air quality around Woodriver Elementary went from 

so‐so to POOR! This is an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed. Staff 

Action: [During a discussion, the teacher] said that it has been very bad, and she 

goes home every day smelling of smoke. She has had a severe cold for some 

time now, and her doctor told her that it may not get better until she is not 

around the smoky environment that the Woodriver School area provides.

48. 97 2/23/2010 Woodriver nurse Strong smoke smell, smoke in air, on children’s clothing as they entered school 

even. 3 students have had asthma symptoms before 11 am.

49. 98 2/23/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

The smell of woodsmoke is very strong at 11:53 am in my first grade classroom. 

It is causing irritation to eyes and throats.

50. 113 3/1/2010 Woodriver parent I dropped my children off on Monday morning at Woodriver School. The air 

was hazy and there was a strong coal smoke odor. I want to know what is being 

done to eliminate solid fuel boilers in populated areas of the borough. I 

understand the borough has been charged with enforcing the PM 2.5 program on 

behalf of the state. For a moment, why is it considered acceptable for me to 

sacrifice the health of my children to subsidize someone’s heating bill? I would 

testify in the “public” forums the Borough has sponsored on this issue, but I fear 

for my safety in doing so. The Borough Assembly has not maintained order in 

these meetings and the result is a biased presentation from the public. How can I

testify without being threatened? I have come prepared to testify on this issue, 

but left with my testimony in hand out of fear of reprisals by the people on the 

other side of this issue. What is being done to improve air quality in the 

Borough now that we all know these boilers are the problem?
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 9

51. 114 3/1/2010 Woodriver 

neighbor, 

grandparent

Monday, 3‐1‐10, AM and PM, Woodriver Elementary School, strong smell of 

smoke air. Tuesday 3‐2‐10, AM, Strong smell of smoke around Woodriver 

Elementary School.

52. 110 3/2/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

Please do something to take immediate action against the residents around 

Woodriver Elementary School, and all other offending residents near schools! 

The air this morning is sickening. Classrooms and hallways are difficult to 

breathe in. WHY CAN’T WE DO SOMETHING FOR AT LEAST THESE 

TWO HOUSES?!?!!!?!?!!?

53. 118 3/4/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

It is the magic fire stoking time ‐ 2 pm and the building smells like I am sitting 

around a campfire. The inside and outside air quality is terrible.

54. 105 3/9/2010 Woodriver 

neighbor

Horrible odor of smoke in Woodriver area. Like a forest fire!!

55. 128 3/18/2010 Woodriver parent [Parent] concerned about the air quality at Woodriver School. There is persistent 

smog. Why haven’t those boilers been shut down? Is something being done 

about this? What is the next step in this process with the new ordinance?

56. 133 3/18/2010 Woodriver 

neighbor, 

grandparent

Extreme wood smoke smell. Woodriver Elementary and surrounding area.

57. 134 3/18/2010 Woodriver parent To Whom It May Concern: At this moment, the air quality index noted on the 

Borough’s air quality program’s web page indicates “GOOD.” I just dropped 

my two daughters off at Woodriver School and had to breathe what I describe as 

“DENSE SMOG” which had a source at two, perhaps more, outdoor boilers 

immediately across from the school. I saw the Borough’s draft air quality 

ordinance that will seek to “grandfather” these boilers. These boilers are a huge 

health risk problem around schools, hospitals, and old‐folks homes. A safe‐zone 

must be established around these areas. A health study in the school next year 

finding adverse impacts would seriously erode the public’s opinion of the

Borough’s capacity to manage this issue. Thanks Todd [Thompson, FNSB 

employee], please call me when you receive this message.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 10

58. 135 3/18/2010 Woodriver parent I live in the University West area. I drove my 8-year old daughter to Woodriver 

school this morning. While the air seemed fine at my house by the time I 

reached the road beside the school my eyes were beginning to burn. By the time 

I was in the parking lot and my daughter opened the car door, we were both 

coughing and having trouble breathing. Neither of us have breathing problems 

normally. Some of the children that were walking into the school had their 

hands covering their mouths and noses. When I checked the air quality on your 

website, it said it is good but at the same time is horrible over at the school. I did 

contact the school after I arrived at work and let them know my concerns. I 

asked if they have a way to check the air quality and they said no. At the very 

least, I think the borough should give them a way to check the air quality so they 

can determine if the kids should go out for recess or not. Again, at my home the 

air seemed fine but blocks away at the school it was terrible. I understand that 

the borough is working on a solution for this. While I don’t feel everyone that 

owns the wood burning boilers should be punished for a few that are causing 

these problems, something has to be done. I would like to know how often the 

borough is measuring the air quality in this area especially at the school and 

what is being done to help protect these school children and homeowners that 

live in the area from breathing this unhealthy air. I look forward to hearing back

from you.

59. 136 3/19/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

The air in our first grade classroom is acrid this morning. It is causing coughing 

and burning in air passages for teacher and students alike. Yesterday was bad as 

well, and I took a photo of the low-lying smoke hovering around our building.

60. 137 3/19/2010 Woodriver nurse Smoke in school building, air around building and playground filled with heavy 

smoke, difficulty breathing x2 students. Pictures taken.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 11

61. 138 3/19/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

I am an employee at Woodriver Elementary School. During the school years 08‐

09 AND 09‐10 the school, both INSIDE and outside, has been plagued with 

visible smoke as well as a burning odor of fumes. Last year I had scores of days

with burning eyes, irritated throat and a running nose. This year, I have had a 

sinus infection since Sept 09 and have been treated for the past 6 months with

antibiotics. I have been under the care of an E.N.T. specialist, Dr. Raugust. I 

have undergone allergy testing, two CAT scans and I am currently on my 6th 

week of yet another round of antibiotics. On Tues, March 16, 2010, Dr. Raugust 

stated that my severe sinusitis is NOT cause by allergies and it IS caused by 

poor air quality. Particulates in the air have damaged the cilia in my sinuses and 

they are unable to drain any of the infection. Dr. Raugust stated that to stop 

being “sick and tired” I will need surgery to remove the infected mucus. This 

surgery will keep me out of work for two weeks. Also, my son is a student her at 

Woodriver. Last year and this year, he has had a series of sinus infections and 

respiratory problems. This year is much worse. He has been diagnosed and 

treated for bronchitis and two sinus infections in the fall of ‘09 through Tanana 

Valley Clinic. Currently, he is under the care of E.N.T. specialist Dr. Raugust. 

Currently he has been on antibiotics for 10 weeks with no symptom change. His 

CAT scan is next week. The doctor anticipates that with no symptom change, 

my 10-year-old son will also be a candidate for sinus surgery. I am tired of 

living in a toxic environment. On Wednesday, March 17 at 2:15 I was outside 

for recess duty with 70 first grade students. Six students commented to me that 

the “air was stinky,” or “the air hurts my nose,” or “the air smells like someone 

is barbequing.” Every week on my Wednesday duty, the air smells bad, stings 

the nose and is often visibly smoky. I am VERY TIRED of working in this toxic 

poisonous environment. Please contact me to let me know how I may influence 

change to make our air quality AT A MINIMUM breathable.

62. 144 3/26/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

The smoke smell was bad today, multiple times. I am keeping a log and had 

forgotten to report this.

63. 140 3/30/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

The air quality in the Woodriver Building is poor this morning ‐ smell of 

woodsmoke is heavy in the air.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 12

64. 145 4/2/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

Terrible smoke smell today, the haze as I drove into the neighborhood at 8:00

am was awful. This should not have to happen in April, a time of the year when 

it is fairly warm out in the morning. It is ridiculous that I have to wash my hair 

when I go home from work each night because I smell like smoke.

65. 146 4/2/2010 Woodriver 

neighbor

The smoke smell is so bad anymore that I feel like I cannot breathe out of my 

nose. This happens early in the morning, at 11:00 am and in the evening.

66. 147 4/2/2010 Woodriver nurse Foul smoke filled air around school building and within building.

67. 152 4/12/2010 Woodriver 

teacher and 

neighbor

I noticed the smoke in the air this morning as I got out of my car at the 

Woodriver Parking lot. I live a few blocks from the school, and often notice my 

dog coming back in the house smelling of smoke. I teach kindergarten at 

Woodriver, and today the smoke is not only stronger than usual, but I can see

the haze. I can smell the smoke in the multipurpose room and in my classroom. 

Other staff members have complained of breathing issues this morning. My eyes 

are becoming irritated. I am worried about not only my family’s health, but the 

health of my young students who will have to come to school and breathe in this 

haze. Thanks.

68. 159 5/24/2010 Woodriver 

neighbor

[Neighbor] called and talked to Todd Thompson [FNSB employee] about her 

nearby neighbor burning coal and producing smoke and a terrible smell. Her 

grandson has asthma and is being affected by the smoke, and has to stay inside.

69. 3 9/16/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

Wood smoke smell in the building at 10:50‐11:10 am.

70. 8 10/4/2010 Woodriver 

employee

The school’s library and some of the classrooms have a strong burning odor.

71. 12 10/21/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

At 11:35 a very strong smell of woodsmoke came through the building from the 

neighbor’s property.

72. 13 10/21/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

Woodsmoke smell is strong in the school again today. Started mid‐morning. 

Noses and eyes are burning. Coughing and complaints from students.

73. 17 10/25/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

Air in our first grade classroom is acrid this morning. Throats are burning.

74. 21 10/27/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

Woodsmoke smell and irritated airways started at about 12 pm today. Kids are 

just headed out to recess.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 13

75. 29 11/3/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

Complaint: The students will be arriving under a thick covering of smoke. There 

is a direct plume extending from a house across the street. It is settled over the 

building and is directly entering the air intake. On entering the building the 

smell of smoke is heavy and sinuses are immediately affected.

76. 31 11/3/2010 Woodriver 

School employee

On Wednesday Nov. 3 around 4:05 PM the smell of campfire was very strong 

on the side of the staff parking lot at Woodriver Elementary.

77. 32 11/10/2010 Woodriver 

neighbor

Air quality concern noted near Woodriver Elementery school. Outdoor burner 

near corner of Trinidad and Palo Verde producing visual smoke discharge circa 

9 am. Distinct smell of coal or some other non‐wood product in the air.

78. 35 11/5/2010 Woodriver parent Very smoky and smelly at Woodriver School during kindergarten recess at 1:00 

pm

79. 36 11/5/2010 Woodriver parent Outdoor wood boiler on Trinidad is smoking at 9:00 am. Possibly coal smoke.

80. 37 11/5/2010 Woodriver 

neighbor

Smoke getting bad from outdoor wood boiler on Trinidad. Smoke from boiler is 

“getting bad” Woke up with headache (9:12 am)

81. 38 11/5/2010 Woodriver parent 12:02 pm (possibly 11/4/2010) ‐ Outdoor wood boiler on Trinidad. Smoke 

drifting toward Woodriver Elementary School.

82. 32 11/10/2010 Woodriver 

neighbor

Air quality concern noted near Woodriver Elementery School. Outdoor burner 

near corner of Trinidad and Palo Verde producing visual smoke discharge circa 

9 am. Distinct smell of coal or some other non‐wood product in the air.

83. 39 11/10/2010 Woodriver 

neighbor

2:00 pm ‐ Outdoor wood boiler smoking badly

84. 34 11/15/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

At 3:45 air quality decreased inside with strong smell of woodsmoke.

85. 40 11/18/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

The air quality as a whole may be “good” today, but at Woodriver Elementary it 

is POOR and UNHEALTHY as of 8:15 am.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 14

86. 42 11/22/2010 Woodriver 

teacher and 

neighbor

I am concerned with the quality of air in my neighborhood. I live in a newer 

house with a HRV system to help me breathe clean air since I have asthma. 

However, when I walk my dog outside, I have to breathe the stagnant wood 

smoke from my neighbor’s wood burning stove. He lives [number deleted]

doors down from me, but the smoke does not dissipate in our geographically 

low spot. If I had known all this, I may not have built my house in this 

neighborhood. I have to live with the smoke from the wildfires in the summer, 

and now the wood stoves in the winter. I believe in individual freedoms, as long 

as they do not harm the lives of others in our society. I believe I have as much 

right to breathe, without resorting to my rescue inhaler, as my neighbor does. He 

has a right to heat his home the way he likes, but within certain guidelines so 

that he does not impact my winter activity and the health of the children at 

Woodriver Elementary. I am not attending the public hearing due to the weather 

and evening classes, but I truly hope you take my comments into consideration.

Thank you for your public service and all you do for the community.

87. 45 12/1/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

The air has become very bad in the classroom this afternoon. Strong smoke and 

fume smells.

88. 46 12/2/2010 Woodriver parent I just dropped my daughters off at Woodriver Elementary School. The air was 

so polluted with coal and wood smoke that I started coughing and choking the 

moment I got out of the truck to walk my daughters across the parking lot to the 

school. My youngest daughter started coughing and complained of feeling 

nauseated with a headache. For the record, my youngest daughter is seven years 

old, in first grade at Woodriver, and has developed a chronic cough since 

attending kindergarten in the 2009 ‐ 2010 school year. By the time we got to her 

classroom she was crying and complaining of a headache. I will likely have to 

retrieve her today because the air is so polluted at that location from a handful of 

wood and coal fired boilers. Why can’t or won’t you do anything about this?

89. 59 12/7/2010 Woodriver 

neighbor

Outdoor boiler on Trinidad ‐dark smoke

90. 60 12/10/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

Complaints about the smell outside Woodriver Elementary School.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 15

91. 55 12/14/2010 Woodriver parent Air at Woodriver School this morning at 0900 was very bad. Wood smoke was 

visible in the lamps in the school parking lot. Smoke filled the air when I 

dropped my kids off for school, and I am concerned for their health going to 

school there with so many dirty outdoor boilers nearby.

92. 67 12/15/2010 Woodriver 

teacher

[Teacher] had several complaints about air quality today. Please send a sniffer 

vehicle by. Please call to report status.

93. 75 1/4/2011 Woodriver 

teacher

OMG!! The wood smoke smell in the middle of my classroom is AWFUL!!!! It 

is the worst I have ever smelled!!! This is not okay!!

94. 76 1/4/2011 Woodriver 

teacher

The air in my first grade classroom is very bad this morning. I can’t see the 

source but the air is irritating our eyes and throats.

95. 77 1/4/2011 Woodriver parent Daughter attends school at Woodriver School. Coal outdoor stove is noxious. 

Upset regarding health effects on child and other kids at the bus stop.

96. 78 1/5/2011 Woodriver 

teacher

At about 2:35 the air quality was extremely poor. Smelled of wood smoke inside 

the building! I kid you not, we are not making this up!

97. 101 1/21/2011 Woodriver 

neighbor

I have been home all day with my new baby, yet it feels as though I have been 

in a smoky bar all night!!! I have a horrible headache from this smoke smell, 

and I cannot imagine what this is doing to my beautiful baby. I am disappointed 

that local officials cannot do their job and protect our most innocent and 

important citizens‐‐our children.

98. 105 1/24/2011 Woodriver 

teacher

My classroom has a very strong smoke smell this morning.

99. 106 1/24/2011 Woodriver 

teacher

Nasty smoke smell inside the school building. This is the 2nd time today!! First 

one was at about 9:30 this morning.

100. 107 1/24/2011 Woodriver school 

employee

School hallways and computer lab have a very strong smoke odor.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 16

101. 108 1/24/2011 Woodriver school 

employee

Today, January 24, 2011, the staff at Woodriver Elementary School are smelling 

the strong odor of woodsmoke IN THE BUILDING. It is currently throughout 

the entire building. Also, the recess duty staff were outside from 1:00‐1:30 and 

could smell the VERY strong odor of smoke and clearly see smoke pouring out 

of the smoke stack from the house directly across from the playground and the 

staff parking lot. [Woodriver Elementary employee] is currently having an 

allergic reaction to the smoke (her lips are getting numb and irritated). My air

cleaner in my office has gone from low to “turbo” (the settings are low, med, 

high and turbo) in the past half an hour.

102. 123 1/27/2011 Woodriver 

teacher

Hello, I am one of the very lucky people that gets to work with 460+ wonderful 

children every day at Woodriver Elementary. Unfortunately, I am not so lucky 

when it comes to getting the opportunity to breathe clean air at my work place. 

There are a few people, who are in very close proximity (100ft of school 

grounds) to Woodriver, that believe their right to burn dirty wood in their wood 

stoves outweighs the majorities right to breathe clean air. Should a couple 

people burning wood affect the ability of 460+ children’s ability to go to recess? 

Because it does. Should a couple people burning wood affect whether or not a 

child or staff member has to get sent home for the day because the air quality is 

making them sick? Because it does. Should a couple people burning wood affect 

the way I smell when I go home from work? Because it does. I think you get my

point, and if you don’t think those people have an effect on those things, I invite 

you to spend a day in the shoes of the 460+ children and 100+ staff here at 

Woodriver. Where are our rights? This is not a once in awhile issue that the 

school and neighborhood deals with, this is a daily occurrence. A problem that I 

encounter when coming to work Monday ‐ Friday. Thankfully for me I don’t 

live in this neighborhood, and am able to escape in the evenings and on the 

weekends, but the children that live in this neighborhood are not so lucky, and 

neither are the residents, some who have resided here for over 30 years, and 

until recently have been able to breathe relatively clean air until the not so nice 

neighbors decided to install their exterior wood burning stoves. There are other 

means to heat a home, but there is not another means for us to enjoy clean air 

outside at recess or in the halls of our school. If the borough doesn’t have the 

balls to stand up to those people then you might as well prepare yourself for the 
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 17

federal government to step in and do the job themselves. Thank you for the 

consideration of my rights too.

103. 125 1/27/2011 Woodriver 

neighbor

We live 3‐4 blocks away from Woodriver school and feel strongly the owner 

across the street should be more responsive than he has been and be prevented 

from using an outdoor boiler. Removing enforcement options for wood smoke 

will not make this problem go away, especially with this owner....Please 

consider the health of the many citizens who are affected by this smoke. It is 

incredible that many of these smoke emitters can easily afford other means of 

heating. This issue always brings me back to past days where smokers were 

allowed to fill a restaurant or bar with their smoke because they had a right to. 

[My spouse] and I long ago quit patronizing those establishments. Where I work 

and live cannot be moved, and I’m forced to breath whatever air is present 

outside my home and office. We all have the right to breathe clean air. Please do

the right thing and protect what is left of our clean air.

104. 114 1/28/2011 Woodriver school 

employee

As of 10:00 am Friday, January 28, 2011 the front office staff and myself have 

smelled smoke in the front hallway of Woodriver. The smell is also in the 

primary wing of the building. When students left their room to walk to P.E. they 

said, “There’s the smell of smoke again.” Another staff member complained of 

dry itchy eyes. My own sinuses feel irritated, my eyes are watering and I am 

sneezing.

105. 115 1/28/2011 Woodriver 

teacher

Too bad about the meeting last night on air quality enforcement. Smell is very 

strong in my classroom this morning! It smelled when I came in just after 8, but 

it’s gotten very thick in the last 1/2 hour (9:30‐10am).

106. 116 1/28/2011 Woodriver 

teacher

My goodness‐ you should be in my classroom right now as we are breathing in 

noxious smoke fumes from our kind neighbors!!!

107. 129 1/28/2011 Woodriver 

teacher

As the students came in from recess today the house across the street from the 

first grade playground appeared to be on fire the cloud of smoke from the 

outdoor wood boiler was so thick. This is at 12:48 pm.

108. 130 1/31/2011 Woodriver 

teacher

We arrived to heavy, heavy smoke surrounding the front of the building. Eyes 

red, airways irritated. Kids are supposed to snowshoe outside today. Very 

unfortunate. Crossing fingers on regulations coming.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 18

109. 140 1/31/2011 Woodriver school 

employee

I just returned to the building from a meeting at Central Office. Several teachers 

immediately approached me and asked how I handled the smoke this afternoon. 

Although I was not here personally, the staff stated that the smell was IN THE 

BUILDING, was very foul smelling and was burning their lungs. When I drove 

down Palo Verde at 3:50, I could see black smoke reaching out from one of the 

outdoor wood burning furnaces and hanging over Palo Verde Avenue and the 

playground.

110. 142 1/31/2011 Woodriver 

neighbor

The wood boiler at the rental house at Trinidad and Palo Verde is again stinking 

up the neighborhood. This provides heat for 4 people? Are the majority of 

people going to continue to suffer so the local slum lord can save money? I’m 

just recovering from $32K of sinus surgery which I never needed until now.

111. 153 1/31/2011 Woodriver 

neighbor

As I drive home with my baby into the Woodriver neighborhood, the outdoor 

boiler near the corner is billowing horrible, toxic smoke. Why must I dread 

coming home? Because my neighbors are polluting the air in my home...making 

my lungs ache and my head hurt....doing who knows what damage to my tiny 

beautiful baby? Why are just a few people allowed to give me and my baby 

lifelong health problems??? Why are the people who are supposed to be 

protecting the public good from this excessive pollution? Please do not delay 

action any longer! Protect my baby and the other children in this neighborhood.

112. 144 2/2/2011 Woodriver parent The air this morning at Woodriver School was bad with wood smoke. I am 

concerned for the health of my children at that location. I noticed this at 0900 

this morning. Please do something about the outdoor boilers in this area.

113. 158 2/5/2011 Resident Your complaint form isn’t working for me, so I am sending this as an email 

message. On 2/5/2011 at about 3:00 PM [family members] and I were driving 

past Woodriver Elementary School. The two outdoor wood boilers in the area 

(5065 Palo Verde Ave and 58 Trinidad) were smoking heavily. I took photos of 

both houses and have attached them to this message. Note that this was a day 

when DEC had declared an air advisory for the Fairbanks area. Something 

should be done to stop the use of these wood boilers on these small lots so close 

to the school. Note that I have reduced the file size of these photos so they will 

email easily. I can send you higher res photos if you like.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 19

114. 150 2/7/2011 Woodriver 

School employee

[School employee] called at 12:15 about the smoke coming from the corner 

OHH on Trinidad and Palo Verde. The smoke was blowing right towards the 

school, creating a nuisance for the kids outside.

115. 151 [no date 

recorded]

Woodriver 

neighbor

Wood‐boiler near corner by Woodriver polluting the entire neighborhood 

AGAIN tonight. Why is ONE person allowed to pollute an entire 

neighborhood? This pollution is beyond a nuisance....it’s toxic, and it’s deadly.

Enforce the law please!!!!!! This person can’t go and poison our food or water, 

so why is he allowed to pollute our air?!?! Someone has to STEP UP and make 

a real change for our community. Let’s not think about these people with wood 

boilers who want to save a few bucks. Instead let’s think about the babies and 

children in this town who want to LIVE and breathe healthy air in their own 

home and school. Alaska should be a beautiful, healthy, wild and free place to 

grow up, but right now it’s just a big smoky, toxic disappointment.

116. 152 2/4/2011 Woodriver 

neighbor

It’s 9:30 pm, and we just drove home back into the Woodriver neighborhood. 

The outdoor wood boiler near the corner is blowing a nasty, choking smoke into 

the air tonight, and we can see a cloudy haze in the light of the street lamps. Oh 

my gosh, just the smell from the car is horrible. It is so strong that it almost 

makes you catch your breath. Please do not make my baby breathe this toxic 

smoke from ONE or TWO homes. They are doing the most damage to this 

neighborhood and our children here. These people are across the street from a

school in a high‐density neighborhood, not out in a more rural setting. What is 

the point of having a Department of Environmental Quality when it does 

NOTHING to enforce or uphold actual environmental quality?

117. 158 2/5/2011 Resident On 2/5/2011 at about 3:00 PM my wife, two daughters and I were driving past 

the Woodriver Elementary School. The two outdoor wood boilers in the area 

(5065 Palo Verde Ave and 58 Trinidad) were smoking heavily. I took photos of 

both houses and have attached them to this message. Note that this was a day 

when DEC had declared an air advisory for the Fairbanks area. Something 

should be done to stop the use of these wood boilers on these small lots so close 

to the school. Note that I have reduced the file size of these photos so they will 

email easily. I can send you higher res photos if you like.

118. 160 [no date 

recorded]

Woodriver 

neighbor

Apparently we are back at square one. This boiler is again stinking up the 

neighborhood when the air quality is rated as unhealthy.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 20

119. 162 2/11/2011 Resident At 9:30am wood boiler, which appears to be in a shed, on 73 Trinidad, was 

pouring out a thick, heavy smoke plume with was covering the immediate area, 

across the road from Woodriver School.

120. 167 2/13/2011 Woodriver 

neighbor

This is regarding 73 Trinidad Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99709: I don’t think smoke 

complaints about this property are new, smoke is too often coming out thick and 

slow from there, but I have also observed that the chimney from the outdoor 

boiler is not to building code. It is neither above the roof ridge nor does it have 

any cap to arrest sparks. It looks like there may have been another section of 

chimney that was removed. If it was to code, at least the smoke would be exiting 

another couple of meters higher and would draw better instead of the way it

spills out of the low stack and degrades living air space. I know the Borough’s

hands are tied when it comes to some aspects of enforcing the nuisance of this 

anti‐social neighbor, but there must be a way to enforce the building‐Fire and 

Safety code.

121. 174 2/23/2011 Woodriver school 

employee

At 12:15 pm during primary recess the chimney on Palo Verde Ave closer to 

Trinidad began billowing.

122. 181 2/28/2011 Woodriver 

teacher

The smoke smell in our building is bad again today. It started about 10:20 and 

the smoke lingering in the neighborhood was very visible at this time.

123. 183 3/1/2011 Woodriver parent At 9:00am while dropping off his kids at Woodriver Elementary, both of the 

boilers next to the school on Palo Verde were producing a lot of smoke. The 

opacity appeared to be 100 percent on both of them at the time.

124. 187 3/2/2011 Woodriver school 

employee

[Woodriver Elementary employee] called and talked to Todd about how bad it 

was at the time inside and outside at Woodriver School, 10:15am. She said that 

she doesn’t call every time there is smoke, but this occurrence was significantly 

worse than most others. [FNSB staff report] Todd said the mobile sniffer vehicle 

was in her neighborhood at the time, and was collecting data. We will review

the data as soon as it gets to the office.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 21

125. 190 3/2/2011 Woodriver 

teacher

Phone message: [Teacher] just started working at Woodriver Elementary 

School, and the last few days the smoke in the area from wood burning devices, 

has been terrible. The air inside the school has been filling up with the smoke 

from outside, and she has had to go home early due to respiratory issues from 

breathing the indoor air filled with the smoke from outside. She wanted 

someone to call her back to discuss what is being done about this serious health 

issue, and to offer any kind of help she may be able to assist with. [Woodriver 

Elementary employee] explained that she was having a hard time breathing, and 

talking, due to breathing the air inside of Woodriver school. She said she had 

made a doctor’s appointment because of how bad it was.

126. 193 3/5/2011 Woodriver 

neighbor

It’s 7:30 pm in the Woodriver neighborhood on Saturday night, and the smoke 

outside is suddenly so thick that I almost can’t believe it. I am not sure that 

people living outside of this area understand that it isn’t just the smell of 

smoke......it’s like having your face right in a choking cloud of campfire smoke 

with no relief. This is a PUBLIC HEALTH issue, and it is a disgrace to this 

town and this state to let it continue. Anyone in public office or public service 

who sits on their hands while babies and children breathe this smoke should be 

ashamed.

127. 196 3/7/2011 Woodriver parent [Woodriver parent] called and left a message about the 2 outdoor wood boilers 

next to Woodriver school. At 9:15, both boilers appeared to have over 50% 

opacity, and the whole area was polluted with wood smoke from the boilers.

128. 197 3/7/2011 Woodriver parent The two outdoor wood boilers next to Woodriver school are both smoking, very 

thick smoke, the whole area is filled with smoke.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 22

129. 198 3/9/2011 Woodriver 

School employee

RIGHT NOW, 9:50 AM ON WEDNESDAY MARCH 9, 2011 we are once 

again experiencing smoke IN THE BUILDING at Woodriver Elementary 

School in Fairbanks, Alaska. The smoke is coming from two outdoor 

woodburning furnaces located directly across the street from the school. This 

has been occurring on a regular basis since September of 2008 when the OWB 

furnaces were installed across the street. Regular basis means this:

September 2008‐April 2009 we had the smell of smoke IN the building every 

day and visible smoke IN the building 1‐3 days per week.

September 2009‐April 2010 we had the smell of smoke IN the building every 

day and visible smoke IN the building 1‐3 days per week.

September 2010‐NOW we have the smell of smoke several times per week and 

visible smoke IN the building a couple of times per month

Please work to mitigate this immediate health hazard as well as to legislate 

measures that will protect our health (60 staff members and 456 students).

130. 199 3/10/2011 Woodriver 

School employee

This is a new email. I just opened the door, stepped out of my windowless office 

and was immediately hit with the smell of smoke IN THE BUILDING at 

Woodriver Elementary School.

RIGHT NOW, 10:19 AM ON THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2011 we are once 

again experiencing smoke IN THE BUILDING at Woodriver Elementary 

School in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The smoke is coming from two outdoor woodburning furnaces located directly 

across the street from the school. This has been occurring on a regular basis 

since September of 2008 when the OWB furnaces were installed across the 

street.

Regular basis means this:

September 2008‐April 2009 we had the smell of smoke IN the building every 

day and visible smoke IN the building 1‐3 days per week.

September 2009‐April 2010 we had the smell of smoke IN the building every 

day and visible smoke IN the building 1‐3 days per week.

September 2010‐NOW we have the smell of smoke several times per week and 

visible smoke IN the building a couple of times per month

Please work to mitigate this immediate health hazard as well as to legislate 

measures that will protect our health (60 staff members and 456 students).
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 23

131. 200 [no date 

recorded]

Woodriver 

neighbor

It’s 8 pm in the Woodriver neighborhood, and the two outdoor boilers near the 

school and the coal boiler nearby are all chugging out smoke again. I have a 

headache from this heavy air, and my baby is crying. It makes me wonder, 

“Does my innocent baby have a smoke headache too?” There has been nothing 

done about these boilers, so apparently the Borough and the DEC think that

babies don’t need to breathe....

132. 204 3/11/2011 Woodriver 

neighbor

It’s 7:45 pm Friday, and the 2 OWB’s across from Woodriver are both pushing 

out heavy plumes of smoke tonight. Since there is more light in the sky now, 

you can actually see the thick haze coming straight from these two boilers and 

then spreading across a neighborhood full of families. The air is visibly cloudy 

and smoky in the light of the street lamps. And I know the smoke isn’t just a 

problem in my neighborhood‐‐these wood and coal boilers are popping up 

everywhere. The Fairbanks Visitors Bureau, the Fairbanks Economic 

Development Corporation and the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce should just 

start warning people that Fairbanks is a toxic town to visit, start a business, or 

raise a family. Fairbanks has no future with this kind of pollution.

133. 212 3/21/2011 Woodriver 

neighbor

Complaint: 8:45 pm Monday. It’s totally smoky over near Woodriver and 

University West AGAIN tonight. And this weekend, we pulled our stroller out 

of the outdoor storage shed, and it REEKED OF SMOKE from sitting out in the 

woodsmoke all winter. Unbelievable. I can’t stand to have the stroller in the 

house because the smell was so horrible, let alone put THE BABY in it. Way to 

go, Fairbanks Assembly, Alaska DEC, and legislators! Let people burn 

whatever they want, whenever they want to heat their homes. This plan is 

working great!

134. 215 3/25/2011 Woodriver 

neighbor

8:45pm Monday. It’s totally smoky over near Woodriver and University West 

AGAIN tonight. And this weekend, we pulled our stroller out of the outdoor 

storage shed, and it REEKED OF SMOKE from sitting out in the woodsmoke 

all winter. Unbelievable. I can’t stand to have the stroller in the house because 

the smell was so horrible, let alone put THE BABY in it. Way to go, Fairbanks 

Assembly, Alaska DEC, and legislators! Let people burn whatever they want, 

whenever they want to heat their homes. This plan is working great!
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 24

135. 3 8/2/2011 Woodriver 

teacher

My name is [Woodriver teacher], and I am concerned with the air quality at the

Woodriver Elementary School. I am concerned about potential health effects of 

the smoke at the school both on myself and on my four children, who all attend 

school there. During this past school year (2010-2011), I worked at Woodriver 

four days a week as a reading instructor for children who needed some extra 

assistance. I began to have some breathing problems in the fall of 2010. My 

doctor prescribed an inhaler. I had never had breathing problems or used an 

inhaler before. I am 32 years old. I continued to have breathing problems and

also suffered from low energy, even to the point of physical exhaustion by the 

end of the day and sometimes throughout the day. Again, this was a new 

experience for me, as I have always been a very active and productive person. I 

didn’t really notice the smoke smell so much myself, as I do not have a very 

sensitive sense of smell. But some of my co-workers at the school suggested 

that my breathing and fatigue symptoms could be caused by exposure to smoke. 

My health problems became acute in early March of 2011. I was at the

Woodriver playground, where it smelled like forest fires, and I began to have 

trouble breathing. I went home early, and used my inhaler, but was still 

struggling to breathe. This condition persisted for a few days, my heart rate was 

up and I was not improving. Finally, on March 6, 2011, I took three of my 

children to the doctor because they were all complaining about sore throats. But 

when I told the doctor about my own symptoms, they checked my vital signs 

and became concerned. My heart rate was elevated and my breathing was still

impaired. I ended up going from the Tanana Valley Clinic to the hospital via 

ambulance and was put on oxygen [complaint cut off] [Teacher reported 

problems breathing 3/2/2011.]

136. 17 9/27/2011 Woodriver 

neighbor

Outdoor wood boiler next to Woodriver School on Trinidad is making a lot of 

smoke, still bad even after they have been working on it. The smoke is going 

into [neighbor’s] house, and across the street into the school yard. The stack 

seems to have been lowered as well? Staff Action: Todd explained that a 

company has installed some emissions control devices [ClearStak CS-100], and 

that they have been working to make them lower the smoke emissions.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 25

137. 22 9/30/2011 Woodriver school 

employee

Subject: 2 children reported sore throats from smoke at recess

Message: At Woodriver today, September 30 around 11:50, I was approached 

by 2 primary students on the playground that were complaining that the smoke 

smell was stinging their throats. They asked to go in. I escorted them to our 

school nurse.

138. 31 10/11/2011 Woodriver 

teacher

[Teacher] works at Woodriver and in the last few weeks (especially Tuesday, 

Oct. 11, 2011), the smoke was so bad in the building that her airways began to 

get really tight and sore; to the point where she almost had to leave work due to 

the pain. She was not able to concentrate or help her students learn. She feels 

this is extremely frustrating and unacceptable.

139. 61 11/4/2011 Woodriver parent Bad wood smoke at 3:30 at Woodriver School. Photos are attached to complaint 

to the state. Wood smoke emanating from outdoor wood boiler on Palo Verde 

across from school. I smelled of smoke after only 15 minutes in the smog. My 

kids were clearing their throats for an hour after getting home from school. See 

attached photos of smog and plume. Thanks.

140. 66 12/2/2011 Woodriver 

School employee

There’s very strong smoke smell inside the school. The smoke is coming from 

the yellow house across the street on Palo Verde.

141. 69 12/2/2011 Woodriver 

teacher

Strong smoke in the school and our eyes are burning. The smoke is from 

Trinidad.

142. 67 12/3/2011 Woodriver 

teacher and 

neighbor

This morning at 8:30 I could smell a very strong wood smoke smell outside my 

home and also inside. My house does not have a fireplace. I am experiencing a 

headache, which I am not prone to, and pain in my sinuses. I have two children 

who are also being exposed to this nuisance smoke. I have chores that need to 

be done on the outside of my house, and I am unable to them do due to the 

strong smoke. This has become a chronic problem in the University West area 

during the last 3 years. We never had smoke issues when I first purchased my 

house 7 years ago. This neighborhood was great, and now it is a mess. My 

family can’t enjoy the outside. I am very worried about the long-term effects of 

this exposure.

143. 75 12/16/2011 Woodriver 

School employee

a very strong wood smoke smell inside the building, students and staff are 

complaining
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 26

144. 76 12/16/2011 Woodriver 

teacher

[Smoke] is coming from a stack across from Woodriver Elementary, toward the 

school and playground. You can smell it inside the school and on the 

playground. I have a students who reports “not being able to breathe very well.”

145. 79 12/19/2011 Woodriver 

School employee

Complaint: There is a terrible campfire type smell inside the building. There’s 

smoke coming from the outdoor wood burning stack on the house across the 

street, the smoke is bluish in color.

146. 84 1/12/2012 Woodriver 

teacher

The students came in from recess complaining about the wood smoke on the 

playground. They said it made them cough and made it hard to breathe. 

Playground duty staff told students to move to other areas of the playground 

where it was less smoky. One of my students N.L. came in from recess early 

because the smoke made it too hard for her to breathe. The smoke was coming 

from across the street on Palo Verde. Two houses.

147. 97 2/6/2012 Woodriver 

neighbor

I live near the Woodriver school, and this evening upon returning home from 

work, the smoke in the area surrounding my home was so dense it was visible, a 

smoky haze enveloping the neighborhood. Although the warmer temperatures 

are a welcome respite, I cannot walk outside without my eyes stinging and my 

breathing impaired. Please document and attempt some sort of follow up to 

rectify this problem. Thank you.

148. 98 2/10/2012 Woodriver 

neighbor

Current air quality in u west near Woodriver School is poor. Literally choking in 

my backyard watching my dog cough and sneeze. Kids are playing in a faint 

pall of smoke. Thanks again for doing nothing. Don’t bother calling, you never 

do anyways.

149. 101 2/13/2012 Woodriver 

School employee

The smoke smell is horrid, is coming from both sides of the neighborhood. Eyes 

are watering; students, parents, staff have come in to the building to complain.

150. 115 3/5/2012 Woodriver 

neighbor

I stopped to pick up my mail when my daughter noticed the foul, yellow-brown 

smoke coming from a neighbor’s back yard. His address is 89 Trinidad, and I 

have pictures of it. Between this residence and the one on the corner of Trinidad 

and Palo Verde, it is impossible to breathe in this neighborhood! Please do 

something!

151. 123 4/6/2012 Woodriver 

School employee

There is smoke billowing from the house next to the playground coming down 

straight towards the school’s main door.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 27

152. 124 4/6/2012 Woodriver 

teacher

[Teacher] sent pictures to Todd of the smoke and house (685 Audrey) noted in 

complaint 123. “All I did was get out of my car,(between 8-8:30 AM) snap 3 

pictures and come inside and at 11:45 (AM) I still smell like smoke” [Complaint 

#123 was from different individual.]

153. 36 10/19/2012 Woodriver 

teacher and 

parent

[Teacher and parent] called at 8:45am and said that when she dropped off her 

children at Woodriver Elementary, there was a strong smell/ odor of wood 

smoke at the school.

154. 37 10/20/2012 Woodriver 

neighbor

Air quality is poor in [University-West] area. Wood boilers next to school are 

smoking and owner appears to be ignoring smoke. My lungs are acting up, and I 

can’t go outside

155. 43 10/24/2012 Woodriver 

teacher

Bad smoke smell inside the school building at 12:00-the outside air smells the 

same!

156. 45 10/25/2012 Woodriver 

teacher

The air quality is again bad in U-West. The guy across the street from 

Woodriver School is making the entire neighborhood have awful air. The air 

quality was just as bad at 8:20 this morning.

157. 46 10/25/2012 Woodriver 

teacher

The air is thick with smoke outside the school.

158. 48 10/30/2012 Woodriver 

School employee

Smoke outside the building is thick. Smoke odor inside the building is at a high 

level also.

159. 49 10/30/2012 Woodriver 

School employee

There’s a very strong smoke odor coming from the Palo Verde Ave house. We 

had several complaints this morning by other staff members.

160. 50 10/30/2012 Woodriver 

teacher

This morning coming into work, there is a smoky smell in the parking lot, which 

has permeated the building and making it hard to breathe in my room number 5 

as well as other places in the building here at Woodriver Elementary. Thanks.

161. 51 10/30/2012 Woodriver 

teacher

I am working in my classroom at Woodriver Elementary. It is 8:45am on a 

Tuesday. The wood smoke inside my classroom is making my nose run, my 

eyes water, and I am now coughing. I am having to leave my classroom and 

move to the other side of the building for cleaner air. I hope it clears up a bit 

before my students arrive for class in 15 minutes.

162. 52 10/30/2012 Woodriver 

teacher

Smell of smoke is thick in my first grade classroom this morning. Wood fired 

outdoor boilers must be fired up this morning. Known locations around 

Woodriver. No follow-up call to me please. I’m with students the rest of the 

day.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 28

163. 54 10/30/2012 Woodriver 

School employee

I am an employee at Woodriver Elementary at 5000 Palo Verde. I noticed the 

woodsmoke smell and a haze in the air the minute I stepped out of my car in the 

parking lot this morning. Since I arrived at work, my eyes, nose and throat have 

been burning from the smell. Thank you for your concern.

164. 55 10/30/2012 Woodriver 

Principal Grant 

Guy

Strong smell of smoke at Woodriver Elementary both in and outside of the 

building. Measured level of PM 2.5 was 60 outside and 7 inside.

165. 65 11/1/2012 Woodriver 

Principal Grant 

Guy

There is a strong smell of woodsmoke in our building. We currently have 515 

students and staff that are effected by the poor air quality.

166. 66 11/2/2012 Woodriver parent [Parent] called, said it was real smoky when dropping off kids at school. 

Smelled real bad.

167. 71 11/5/2012 Woodriver parent At Woodriver dropping off kids, strong odor of woodsmoke around school.

168. 75 11/7/2012 Woodriver 

Principal Grant 

Guy

Smells of wood smoke in our building by the main office. This smell has been 

present for about 30 minutes. There are approximately 515 people in our school 

that could be affected by this smell.

169. 76 11/7/2012 Woodriver 

Principal Grant 

Guy

Strong smell of smoke in the building reported by several staff members in 

various locations around the building. This smoke can affect 515 people in the 

building.

170. 78 11/7/2012 Woodriver parent She picked up her children at Woodriver school and they both wanted to 

complain about the smoke. One said he was coughing the whole time he was 

waiting outside for her and couldn’t stop and he hates it, the other said they 

could smell it in the school also. [Parent] stated that she had a sore and rough 

throat after having breathed the air while picking up her children. She requested 

that this be forwarded to ADEC and CC’d to her also.

171. 80 11/8/2012 Woodriver parent Message: Just picked up her children at Woodriver School, smells real bad, real 

smoky. Kids complained how smoky it was at recess outside.

172. 81 11/12/2012 Woodriver parent Picked up daughter at Woodriver School, and daughter complained that there 

was a smell of smoke in her reading class.

173. 83 11/13/2012 Woodriver 

Principal Grant 

Guy

Smoke smell in our building at Woodriver Elementary. This smoke can effect 

approximately 515 people. I have received complaints from about 4 staff 

members. Smoke smell in the building right before school released. The smoke 

can affect the approximately 515 people in our school.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 29

174. 84 11/16/2012 Woodriver parent While dropping kids off at Woodriver School, the air was real bad, very smoky. 

Driving down Dartmouth and down Trinidad was pretty bad as well.

175. 87 11/16/2012 Woodriver parent Called in complaint at 12:10, explained that at lunch at Woodriver School, it 

was very smoky, breathed in the outside air and had a lot of smoke sucked in. It 

is real bad!

176. 88 11/21/2012 FNSB AQ 

employee

Called and explained to Todd [Thompson] that she was sitting in the Woodriver 

School parking lot, looking at both outdoor wood boilers across the street, Palo 

Verde, and witnessed heavy smoke from both units coming into the parking lot 

and playground area. It is very smoky and smells of thick wood smoke. Staff 

Action: [Employee] took photos and submitted them.

177. 91 11/26/2012 Woodriver 

Principal Grant 

Guy

Strong smell of wood smoke in our Multipurpose Room and Music room. This 

smell has been around for about 15 minutes now and can affect 515 people that 

attend and work at Woodriver Elementary.

178. 93 11/27/2012 Woodriver 

Principal Grant 

Guy

Strong smell of wood smoke in our building at 2:20 this afternoon. This smoke 

was reported by four different adults. This smoke can affect 515 people who 

work or attend school in our building.

179. 95 11/27/2012 Woodriver parent While dropping off her kids at Woodriver Elementary school, could smell 

smoke, and there was a smoky haze over the school. Could see the smoke 

coming from the boiler on the corner lot near the school.

180. 96 11/28/2012 Woodriver 

Principal Grant 

Guy

Smoke smell in our building at about 12:00 pm today. The smell was reported 

by 4 different adults. The smoke has the potential to affect about 515 people that 

work and attend school in our building.

181. 100 11/28/2012 Woodriver parent [Parent] called and explained that at 8:50 am this morning it was smoky at 

Woodriver school.

182. 112 11/29/2012 Woodriver parent [Parent] called at 3:35 pm and left message. Picked up children from Woodriver 

school, stench is outrageous of smoke. Her children are coughing while getting 

into vehicle because of smoke. Please respond with a copy of the complaint to 

the DEC and herself as well.

183. 119 12/17/2012 Woodriver 

Principal Grant 

Guy

There was a strong wood smoke smell in our building at approximately 1:15 this 

afternoon as reported by a staff member and several students. This smoke has 

the potential to harm 515 people that attend and work in our school.
190 Air Pollution Complaints from the Woodriver Elementary Area 2008-2013, Fairbanks, Alaska, page 30

184. 122 12/18/2012 Woodriver 

Principal Grant 

Guy

Strong smell of smoke in the building this morning as reported by three separate 

staff members, in different parts of the building. There are approximately 515 

students and staff that can be affected by this smoke. 

185. 133 1/7/2013 Woodriver 

Principal Grant 

Guy

Strong smell of smoke in our building as reported by 4 different staff members. 

186. 154 2/5/2013 Woodriver parent Caller was dropping of her child at Woodriver and noticed that the house at 660 

Aubrey is emitting black smoke.

187. 156 2/6/2013 Woodriver 

Principal Grant 

Guy

Two outdoor boiler producing large plumes of smoke observed at 9:00 am. At 

9:30 I received a report from three adults that there was a strong wood smoke 

smell in our building near our kindergarten wing.

188. 157 2/6/2013 Woodriver

School employee

There is a tremendous amount of woodsmoke from a private individual across 

the street from Woodriver Elementary School at 5000 Palo Verde Drive in 

Fairbanks. This is my place of employment and the smoke is burning my eyes, 

hurting my throat, and has given me a headache within the first 30 minutes of 

being in the building. Please stop this homeowner from continuing this 

unhealthy burning. It is so irritating and should be taken care of my our State 

laws that prohibit this behavior.

189. 158 2/6/2013 Woodriver 

teacher

There is a strong smoke smell inside the school building causing eyes and 

throats to be irritated. The outdoor boilers across the street are being used at this 

time.

190. 159 2/6/2013 Woodriver 

School employee

Nuisance smoke coming from an outdoor wood burner at 5055 Palo Verde. I am 

an employee at Woodriver Elementary and I could smell smoke in the hallways 

as soon as I entered the building at 8:25 this morning.