FRONT RANGE AIR QUALITY FORECAST:
Friday, July 26, 2024, 2:30 PM MDT
Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Moderate category on Friday, and in the Good to Moderate range on Saturday. Moderate concentrations of ozone are possible throughout the Colorado Front Range Region. Please see Fine Particulate Matter below for Moderate health recommendations.
Fine Particulate Matter concentrations are expected to be in the Moderate category on Friday, and in the Good to Moderate range on Saturday. On Friday, Moderate concentrations of fine particulates are expected to linger throughout the Colorado Front Range Region. On Saturday, Moderate concentrations are most likely for locations in and near the Denver Metro area.
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion on Friday and Saturday.
Carbon Monoxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Friday and Saturday.
Nitrogen Dioxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Friday and Saturday.
Visibility on Saturday is expected to be Moderate to Poor.
COLORADO SMOKE OUTLOOK:
Thursday, July 11, 2024, 8:40 AM MDT
Smoke from out-of-state fires will begin affect northern Colorado by late Thursday morning, and is expected to continue spreading eastward as the day goes on. The majority of smoke will remain in the upper atmosphere, although some will mix down to the surface. Hazy skies are likely across much of northern and western Colorado. Light to moderate smoke is possible Thursday in northwest Colorado, especially Steamboat Springs, Craig, and Meeker.
No major public health impacts are expected due to smoke (fine particulates), however unusually sensitive people, should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion on Thursday.
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. To temporarily relocate to an area with better air quality, consider using this map (https://fire.airnow.gov/) to identify the best area closest to you. IF VISIBILITY IS LESS THAN 5 MILES IN SMOKE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, SMOKE HAS REACHED LEVELS THAT ARE UNHEALTHY.
