FRONT RANGE AIR QUALITY FORECAST:
Friday, June 23, 2017, 2:30 PM MDT
Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Friday and Saturday.
Fine Particulate Matter concentrations are expected to be in the Good category 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 is expected to be Good to Moderate on Saturday.
COLORADO SMOKE OUTLOOK:
Saturday, June 24, 2017, 7:15 AM MDT
A large plume of smoke is coming off the Brian Head wildfire in southwestern Utah and is being transported eastward into Colorado. Haze and smoke will mainly be confined to southwestern parts of Colorado on Saturday. The vast majority of this smoke is remaining aloft and having little effect on ground-level public health. However, unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion in southwestern Colorado on Saturday. Smoke and haze should gradually dissipate for most areas during the late morning and into the early afternoon hours as atmospheric mixing increases with the heating of the day.
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.
