Alaska Army National Guard; Anchorage, Alaska

Anchorage, Alaska | 1988-Feb-08

Initial Notification: Between 0500 and 0730 on February 8, 1988, 18 canisters, each containing 14 ounces of tear gas (chlorobenzyl malononitrile, also known as CS gas) were released by the Alaska Army National Guard during a gas mask training exercise. The exercise was being conducted on a portion of the Fort Richardson military reservation immediately adjacent to a large residential neighborhood. When an unexpected wind shift occurred, the gas drifted over the Chugach Foothills neighborhood. Residents suffered severe irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract. The Anchorage fire and police departments received hundreds of calls from affected citizens, and initiated an evacuation. Soon after arriving and discovering the source of the release, they cancelled the evacuation. However, residents were asked to leave the area, if possible, or stay inside their homes. School authorities at first considered closing nearby schools. USCG district 17.