FRONT RANGE AIR QUALITY FORECAST:
Friday, June 28, 2024, 1:45 PM MDT
Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Good to Moderate range on Friday and Saturday.
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion between noon and 8 pm 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 on Saturday is expected to be Good to Moderate.
COLORADO SMOKE OUTLOOK:
Friday, June 28, 2024, 1:50 PM MDT
The 1,071 acre Oak Ridge Fire is burning near the Pueblo/Custer County line, approximately 3 miles northwest of Beulah. Smoke impacts have remained light in areas near the fire. Increased cloud cover and relative humidity are expected to temper fire behavior and limit smoke production. Thunderstorms remain possible during the afternoon hours, which can produce gusty, erratic winds that could send smoke in any direction. Primary smoke impacts during the daytime hours are expected to remain highly localized to areas in the immediate vicinity of the fire, with little public health impacts anticipated. As the winds decrease during the late evening and overnight hours, smoke will settle in low lying terrain in areas below the fire, and light to moderate smoke is possible in Beulah. The Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke has been allowed to expire, however CDPHE/APCD will monitor conditions closely and will re-issue the advisory if conditions worsen. Individuals who are unusually sensitive to smoke should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion in areas where smoke is apparent.
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.
