In Alaska I flew through smoke a few times. Worse than IFR. Smoke is relentless.
I was trying to land a C-207 in Tok. We knew the smoke was coming and I was trying to get one last flight in. Well, about 5 miles from the airport the smoke enveloped the area. No breaks, just solid. Relentless. I could not see the ground. Using the GPS extended centerline function, I was able to make up an approach to a VFR runway.
About 3 mile final, someone came on the radio that they were taxying out at Tok for departure. I called back 3 mile final for 7. Then the other aircraft called departing runway 25. I called back stating I have no visibility and on short final for 7. The other plane reported that he had no visibility either and is lifting off from runway 25. I told them I am at 25 AGL, barely above the trees and less than a mile final. The other aircraft reported breaking out into the clear. I asked which way they were going. Oh, sorry, I departed 7 and heading east. ''You are a %^$%#$ing Idiot.!!'' is what everyone on frequency heard.
The darkness below me suddenly became lighter, so I figured I was over the runway. I figured correctly and landed, then someone on a 4 wheeler guided me into parking. I mean 10 feet in front of me and I could barely see their red taillights. At 11 feet the 4 wheeler would disappear completely.
As soon as I shut down, the smoke got in my eyes, which then involuntarily closed. I used a finger to force one open, but my eyes were also pouring out tears.
The town was put on an immediate mandatory evacuation. Since I lived in a small apartment in the hanger in the middle of the airport property, I stayed. I could see the fire coming up the valley, and was thinking I might need to dig a hole and bury myself. But later on in the evening the wind changed, and the rain came stopping the progress of the fire. When the wind changed, the smoke cleared out. The fire bombers were able to come in and do their job.
