FRONT RANGE AIR QUALITY FORECAST:
Tuesday, August 22, 2017, 8:00 AM MDT
Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Good to Moderate range on Tuesday. Moderate concentrations of ozone are expected throughout the Colorado Front Range Region including the Denver Metro area, Fort Collins, Greeley, and Colorado Springs. High-Moderate concentrations of ozone are possible in the southern and western portions of the Denver Metro area and northward along the Front Range to Fort Collins.
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion in these areas from noon until 8 PM on Tuesday.
Fine Particulate Matter concentrations are expected to be in the Good to Moderate range on Tuesday. Moderate conditions are expected In Northeastern Colorado and the Northern Front Range, from Ft. Collins and Greeley southward to the Denver Metro Area, due to transported smoke from wildfires in the Western US and Canada.
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion in these areas on Tuesday.
Carbon Monoxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Tuesday.
Nitrogen Dioxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Tuesday.
Visibility on Tuesday is expected to be Poor during the morning, improving to Good to Moderate in the afternoon.
COLORADO SMOKE OUTLOOK:
Tuesday, August 22, 2017, 8:05 AM MDT
Smoke from wildfires in the northwest United States and western Canada is being transported into Colorado. The influence of this smoke is expected to produce areas of haze, particularly in northern Colorado, however these conditions are possible throughout the state. Significant health impacts are not anticipated, however, unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion on Monday and Tuesday.
Light to moderate smoke is also possible near prescribed fires and small wildfires around the state.
What if there is a wildfire or smoke in your area?
The focus of the Colorado Smoke Outlook is on large fires (e.g., greater than 100 acres in size). Nevertheless, smoke from smaller fires, prescribed fires, and/or smoke from new fires not yet known to CDPHE air quality meteorologists may cause locally heavy smoke. If there is smoke in your neighborhood, see the public health recommendations below.
Public health recommendations for areas affected by smoke:
If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly. Fine particulates may reach the Unhealthy category where smoke is heavy. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion; everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill.
IF VISIBILITY IS LESS THAN 5 MILES IN SMOKE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, SMOKE HAS REACHED LEVELS THAT ARE UNHEALTHY.
