FRONT RANGE AIR QUALITY FORECAST:
Saturday, July 11, 2020, 2:00 PM MDT
Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range on Saturday, and in the Good to Moderate range on Sunday.
Concentrations of ozone in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category are expected on Saturday within the Denver Metro area, particularly in the southern and western suburbs, from Highlands Ranch to Broomfield. In these areas
active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion until 8 PM on Saturday.
Elsewhere throughout the Front Range region, Moderate concentrations of ozone are expected, and
unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion from noon to 10 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
Fine Particulate Matter concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Saturday and Sunday.
Carbon Monoxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Saturday and Sunday.
Nitrogen Dioxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Saturday and Sunday.
Visibility on Sunday is expected to be Good to Moderate.
COLORADO SMOKE OUTLOOK:
Saturday, July 11, 2020, 2:00 PM MDT
The 293 acre YMCA wildfire is located in central Fremont County, approximately 4 miles west of Canon City. Winds near the fire are expected to from the northwest on Saturday morning, shifting to come from the east or southeast during the afternoon hours. Winds may be breezy at times. Smoke impacts are expected to be greatest in areas in the immediate vicinity of the fire, and are expected to improve as atmospheric mixing increases throughout the day. Overnight, light drainage winds may allow smoke to settle in low lying terrain in areas near the fire. Periods of moderate to heavy smoke will be possible in locations including, but not limited to, Canon City, Lincoln Park, and Brookside. While impacts to public health are currently expected to remain low, unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion in these areas on Saturday and Sunday.
Smoke transported from wildfires in Utah and Nevada may produce hazy skies across Colorado on Saturday and Sunday. No public health impacts are expected.
Light to moderate concentrations of smoke are also possible near small wildfires and prescribed burns 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. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. 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.
