Smoke From High Park Fire Prompts Health Alert
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) - Smoke from the High Park Fire has prompted the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, along with the Regional Air Quality Council, to issue an Ozone Action Day Alert.
The alert spans along the Front Range urban corridor from El Paso County north to Larimer and Weld Counties, including the Denver-Boulder area, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and Greeley.
Ozone levels are expected to be in the good to unhealthy for sensitive groups range until 10 p.m. Thursday.
A Wildfire Smoke Health Advisory is in effect for areas north northwest to north northeast of the High Park Fire to the Wyoming state line and south southeast along the Front Range to Boulder and as far east as Greeley. Cities in this area include but are not limited to Poudre Park, Livermore, Fort Collins, Longmont, Loveland, Boulder and Greeley.
There could be moderate to heavy smoke downwind of the High Park Fire Thursday evening. Overnight smoke from the fire is expected to flow down various valleys and settle in low-lying areas causing Particulate levels to climb to unhealthy for sensitive groups in parts of the advisory area.
If visibility is less than five miles from smoke in your neighborhood than the smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy. If the 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.
This Multiple Pollutants Action Day Alert will remain in effect until at least 4 p.m. Friday.
For statewide conditions, forecasts and advisories visit: colorado.gov/airquality/colorado
