Wildfires adding to air quality concerns in Colorado
DENVER (KDVR) — Smoke from wildfires in Colorado and other states is adding to existing air quality concerns, with high ozone, high particle pollution and periodical heavy smoke expected to last through Thursday
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The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Regional Air Quality Council issued an Action Day Alert due to multiple pollutants at least until 4 p.m. on Thursday for Douglas County north to Larimer and Weld counties, including the Denver-Boulder area, Fort Collins and Greeley.
“Warm and stagnant weather combined with increasing amounts of both local and out-of-state wildfire smoke will result in ozone and fine particulate matter concentrations possibly reaching Unhealthy levels for air quality on Wednesday and Thursday. Expect locally heavy smoke in areas near the Alexander Mountain, Stone Canyon, and Quarry wildfires,” the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website said.
Air quality alerts in effect on July 31, 2024. (Colorado Department of Public Heath and Environment) Map of air quality conditions on July 31, 2024 around noon. (AirNow)
The AQI as of noon Wednesday in Denver was 131, according to AirNow.
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Smoke outlook
CDPHE said Coloradans can expect periods of heavy smoke in the areas near the Alexander Mountain Fire, the Stone Canyon Fire and the Quarry Fire.
Wednesday, CDPHE said it anticipates gradual improvement Wednesday afternoon as the atmosphere heats up, but at the same time, ozone will be increasing.
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“So today might be a good day to just move your plans indoors, if possible. While outside, be sure to take plenty of extra breaks,” the CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division smoke blog states.
Smoke from other fires in the U.S. is impacting air quality on the Front Range as well.
This NOAA Near-Surface Smoke model shows smoke from local fires and out-of-state fires for 5 p.m.
This NOAA Near-Surface Smoke model shows smoke from local fires and out-of-state fires for 5 p.m. (NOAA)
Here is the National Weather Service’s smoke forecast for Wednesday evening:
National Weather service smoke forecast for 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (National Weather Service) National Weather service smoke forecast for 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (National Weather Service) National Weather service smoke forecast for 1 a.m. Aug. 1, 2024. (National Weather Service)
What the air quality conditions mean for daily life
CDPHE said smoky conditions have the potential to affect outdoor recreation areas and outdoor workers through Wednesday.
“We encourage everyone to remain aware and cautious in regard to heavy physical exertion, especially when outdoors, due to the heat and air quality that will affect Colorado in the coming days,” CDPHE said in the blog. “With these expectations in mind, along with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90’s and limited cloud cover, air quality concerns for health impacts due to exposure to both fine particulates (smoke) and ozone will be heightened this week.”
CDPHE said people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion in the moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups range. Everyone else is advised to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion on Wednesday and take more breaks during outdoor activities.
Additional resources can be found on the CDPHE website.
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