State and federal agencies issued air quality warnings across Colorado through the weekend, as ground-level ozone and drifting wildfire smoke pushed pollution to levels that officials said could harm residents, especially children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions.
The latest alert from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) came just days after similar circumstances led to warnings throughout the state prompted by wildfire smoke from regional fires including the Derby fire. The fire, which is currently 0 percent contained, has burned over 4,000 acres as of Saturday afternoon.
These conditions could increase respiratory symptoms and breathing discomfort for sensitive groups and active people, and state health officials urged limiting outdoor exertion, according to a forecast from the National Weather Service (NWS).
Newsweek has reached out to the CDPHE for further comment via email Saturday during non-working hours.
Why It Matters
Poor air quality from ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can trigger coughing, throat irritation, chest tightness and shortness of breath, and raises the risk of serious complications for people with preexisting respiratory or heart disease.
Even otherwise healthy people could experience symptoms during periods of heavy smoke or elevated ozone, according to state and federal agencies.
What To Know
The NWS issued a health advisory due to poor air quality from wildfire smoke on behalf of CDPHE on Saturday, warning of issues through the weekend.
Areas across the Front Range are impacted, with multiple locations included in the alert, including Southeastern Dolores and northeastern Montezuma Counties, including Stoner in the southwest area of the state as well as Eagle and Garfield counties near Vail.
People who suffer from underlying conditions such as heart disease and respiratory illnesses, as well as very young people and older adults are urged to stay indoors due to concerns over thick smoke.
The air quality was listed as “moderate” in several locations throughout Colorado.
The smoke is coming from the Derby fire, which has burned over 4,000 acres as of Saturday afternoon.
More than 370 firefighters are currently battling the Derby fire, which was caused by a lightning strike, according to an update on Saturday afternoon from fire officials. Closures have been expanded throughout the area of the White River National Forest as the blaze enters its seventh day, the update said.
U.S. Forest Service – White River National Forest has expanded their public closure in the vicinity of the #DerbyFire for firefighter and public safety.
The new Forest Order expands the closure to…
What People Are Saying
The Colorado Department of Health and Environment Issued a statement through the NWS on Saturday: “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.”
The Derby Fire Colorado Facebook page said in an update Saturday: “The entire White River National Forest remains under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, meaning no campfires are allowed anywhere on the Forest, among other restrictions.”
What Happens Next
The alert said the advisory will remain in place through Sunday morning at 9 a.m. MT.
Forecasters and state leaders will continue to monitor air quality conditions and issue further guidance as necessary.
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