A massive natural gas leak that’s been spewing fumes for at least four days has forced a partial evacuation of the Alpine oil field on Alaska’s North Slope as fears of ignition or asphyxiation rise, Reuters reports.
“We have community members that have reported smelling gas since Friday,” said Rosemary Ahtuangaruak, mayor of Nuiqsut, an Inupiat village of around 450 people about seven miles south of the oil field. She said that residents are nervous, despite government assurances that they’re not in danger.