fbpx

The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Weather & Traffic

  • Antarctic ice sheet is melting, but rising bedrock below could slow it down

    An international team led by DTU Space at the Technical University of Denmark with Colorado State University has found that the bedrock below the remote West Antarctic Ice Sheet is rising much more rapidly than previously thought, in response to ongoing ice melt.

    The study, “Observed rapid bedrock uplift in the Amundsen Sea Embayment promotes ice-sheet stability,” reveals new insights on the geology of the region and its interaction with the ice sheet and is published in the journal Science.

    Researchers said the findings have important implications in understanding and predicting the stability of the ice sheet and Earth’s rising sea levels.

    “We studied a surprising and important mechanism, glacial isostatic adjustment, that may slow the demise of the massive West Antarctic Ice Sheet by lifting up the bedrock and sediments beneath the ice sheet,” explained CSU Professor Rick Aster, a co-author of the study and head of the Geosciences department at the university.

    Ice sheet’s bowl-like position makes it susceptible to collapse

    Scientists have been concerned that this ice sheet is particularly precarious in the face of a warming climate and ocean currents, because it is grounded hundreds to thousands of feet below sea level — unlike the ice sheets of East Antarctica or Greenland — and its base slopes inland. This bowl-like topography makes it susceptible to runaway destabilization and even complete collapse over centuries or even thousands of years.

    The entirety of West Antarctica contains enough ice that, if it were to melt, would contribute more than 10 feet of average global sea level rise. In addition, the ice sheet is so massive that it attracts an ocean bulge, due to gravity. If this mass of water is released, it would lead to an additional increase of three feet or more to average sea level in parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

    The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is currently contributing approximately 25 percent of global melting land-based ice each year, and recent satellite-based studies have shown that this amount has increased in recent decades. This figure is equivalent to about 37 cubic miles or a cube of over three miles on each side.

    Co-authors of the study based at The Ohio State University led the installation of sensitive GPS stations on rock outcrops around the remote region to measure the rise in response to thinning ice and to directly measure the uplift due to changes in the ice sheet. These measurements showed that the bedrock uplift rates were as high as 1.6 inches per year, one of the fastest rates ever recorded in glacial areas.

    Professor Rick Aster is a co-author of a new study that analyzed the remote West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which is susceptible to collapse.

    “This very rapid uplift may slow the runaway wasting and eventual collapse of the ice sheet,” said Aster. The uplift tends to stabilize the critical grounding line where the ice sheet loses contact with underlying bedrock or sediment and goes afloat, he explained. This grounding line then counteracts the process of the ice sheet collapsing.

    ‘A game changer’

    Researchers also found in this study that the uplift is accelerating, and predicted that it will continue to do so into the next century.

    “Our research indicates that recent and ongoing ice loss in the region has been underestimated by approximately 10 percent in past studies, because this bedrock uplift was inadequately accounted for in satellite measurements,” said Aster.

    Lead author Valentina Barletta, a postdoctoral researcher at DTU SPACE, Technical University of Denmark, said that this uplift is occurring quite rapidly, when compared with other regions of the earth where glaciers are melting.

    “Normally we would see this type of uplift happening slowly, over thousands of years after an ice age,” said Barletta. “What we found tells us that earth’s underlying viscous mantle is relatively fluid and moves quickly when the weight of the ice is taken off,” she added.

    Terry Wilson, professor emeritus of Earth Sciences at The Ohio State University, said the findings suggest that the geological conditions beneath the ice are very different from what scientists had previously believed.

    “The rate of uplift we found is unusual and very surprising,” she said. “It’s a game changer.”

    Seismic scans uncover clues about the earth’s mantle

    Aster, Barletta and the study co-authors have deployed a large network of sensitive seismographs across Antarctica to produce seismic tomographic images — analogous to a gigantic CAT scan — of the deep earth below Antarctica.

    The work assisted in the interpretation and modeling of the GPS uplift data by delineating a vast region of the earth’s mantle, 40 to 400 miles below West Antarctica, that is relatively hot and fluid.

    Previous and related studies conducted by the research team have also revealed that some hotter features below Antarctica extend still deeper, over 600 miles, into the earth.

    “These warmer mantle features drive the previously enigmatic volcanic activity in West Antarctica, including Mount Erebus on Ross Island,” said Aster. “This geothermal heat at the base of the ice sheet helps to sustain subglacial lakes in some regions and lubricates the ice sheet as it slips towards the ocean,”he added.

    Aster said while the research does provide room for a positive outcome, if future global warming is extreme, the entire West Antarctic Ice Sheet will still melt.

    “To keep global sea levels from rising more than a few feet during this century and beyond, we must still limit greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere through international cooperation and innovation,” he said.

    Co-authors of this study also include researchers from DTU Compute at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU Compute), University of Washington, University of Colorado-Boulder, TU Delft in the Netherlands, University of Texas, University of Memphis, Penn State University and Washington University in St. Louis.

    The Department of Geosciences is part of the Warner College of Natural Resources

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

     

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • — Waterborne illnesses, record breaking heat and more — How to be safe this summer

    — Waterborne illnesses, record breaking heat and more — How to be safe this summer

    Practice healthy swimming to prevent spread of Crypto, other waterborne illnesses

    DENVER— As summer heats up and more people head to the pool, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reminds people to protect themselves from recreational waterborne illnesses such as cryptosporidiosis (Crypto) and giardiasis (Giardia).

    Crypto and Giardia are parasites that cause intestinal illness. Crypto easily spreads through water and is hard to kill, even in properly chlorinated pools. The parasites live in the guts of infected people and animals and are passed through feces (poop).

    Swallowing contaminated swimming water is one of the most common ways Crypto spreads. We want people to know what they can do to minimize their risk of getting sick and spreading disease. — Nicole Comstock, who manages the enteric disease program for the department

    Crypto and Giardia are spread not only by swallowing water (from swimming) but also from eating food contaminated by feces from infected people or animals, even in tiny amounts that can’t be seen. The infections also can spread from person to person and from touching surfaces or objects contaminated with feces from an infected person and then touching your mouth without washing your hands first.

    The illnesses can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever. Symptoms typically begin two days to four weeks (one week on average) after swallowing the parasite, and can come and go for a month or longer. People are contagious from the time symptoms start until at least two weeks after the symptoms go away. The only way to diagnose these illnesses is to be tested by a health care provider. The diseases can be serious for people with weakened immune systems.

    The state and Tri-County health departments continue to investigate whether illness is linked to a June 11-13 incident at Water World, during which untreated pond water might have contaminated pools and drinking fountains or might have been used to make food, ice and drinks at the park. Two people who visited Water World during that time have been diagnosed with Crypto and one person has been diagnosed with Giardia. Public health agencies are investigating whether these illnesses are associated with their visits to Water World. Water World resolved the water contamination issue, and there does not appear to be ongoing contamination. If you visited Water World Colorado on June 11, 12 or 13 and experienced symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea or stomach issues after your visit, call the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at 303-692-2700.

    Prevent Crypto, Giardia and other recreational water illnesses

    • Stay out of the water if you have diarrhea.
    • If you know or suspect you might have Crypto or Giardia, do not swim while you are sick with diarrhea and stay out of the pool for two weeks after the diarrhea is gone.
    • Shower before you get in the water.
    • Change diapers away from poolside.
    • Take kids on bathroom breaks every hour.
    • Don’t swallow water you swim in.
    • Wash your hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom and changing diapers and before preparing and eating food.
    • Stay home from work, school, day care and summer camp if you are sick.
    • Avoid sexual activity if you are sick with diarrhea.
    • If you are sick and your symptoms are not going away, check with your health care provider.

    Record Breaking Heat — prevent illness and other serious conditions

    With temperatures in the triple digits this week, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is reminding residents and visitors to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses. Heat-related illnesses include heat exhaustion or heat stroke, which can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs. These conditions happen because the body’s temperature rises faster than the body can cool itself.

    During extreme heat, stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible. Some counties are partnering with cities and towns to make sure additional locations, such as recreation and senior centers, are available to anyone who needs to come in for a few hours to cool down. Call your local public health agency to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.

    Older adults, the very young, people with mental illness and chronic diseases, and people living without air conditioning are at highest risk for heat-related illness and should be watched closely. “Friends, families and neighbors should check in on the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions routinely,” said Dane Matthew, director of the department’s Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response. “Heat can also affect young and healthy people if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather.”

    To avoid illness from heat, public health officials recommend these precautions:

    • Stay in an air-conditioned area. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a shopping mall, library or other place that does. Even a few hours in an air conditioned environment can keep the body cool.
    • Drink water often; don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Avoid sugary drinks and alcohol, as they cause a loss of body fluid.
    • Provide pets with plenty of fresh water.
    • Limit outdoor activity to when it’s coolest.
    • Wear sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.
    • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes.
    • Avoid preparing or eating hot meals; they add to body heat.
    • Visit adults who are at greater risk at least twice daily, and watch them closely for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
    • Be safe on the job. If your job involves physical work outdoors:
    • Drink water every 15 minutes, even if you’re not thirsty.
    • Wear a hat and light-colored clothing.
    • Rest in the shade.

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has heat-safety resources for employers, including mobile apps that can alert workers when extreme heat conditions exist.

    Move people experiencing signs of heat exhaustion to a cool place as soon as possible. Applying cool, wet cloths to their head and body, or placing them in a cool bath also can help cool them down. People should get medical help immediately if they vomit, their symptoms last longer than one hour, or their symptoms worsen.

    Signs of heat exhaustion include:

    • Heavy sweating.
    • Cold, pale and clammy skin.
    • Fast, weak pulse.
    • Nausea or vomiting.
    • Muscle cramps.
    • Tiredness or weakness.
    • Dizziness.
    • Headache.
    • Fainting.

     

     SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE  @I70Scout

     

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • Oil and gas methane emissions 60% higher than EPA reports in new CSU study

    Oil and gas methane emissions 60% higher than EPA reports in new CSU study

    A new study that draws on previous work by Colorado State University scientists finds that the U.S. oil and gas industry emits nearly 60 percent more methane than current Environmental Protection Agency estimates. That amounts to 13 million metric tons of methane from oil and gas operations each year.

    Published online June 21 in the journal Science, the study is led by Environmental Defense Fund researchers, with support from 15 institutions and 19 co-authors, including Anthony Marchese, CSU professor of mechanical engineering. The study integrates over half a decade of research by a large community of scientists, among them Marchese; and Dan Zimmerle, senior research associate at the CSU Energy Institute.

    In 2014, Marchese and Zimmerle led EDF-sponsored work into defining methane emissions from two key segments of the natural gas supply chain: gathering and processing, near the front end; and transmission and storage, further downstream. Their results helped shape the new estimates of total emissions just published. Over the last three years, their work has also been incorporated in and cited by the EPA Greenhouse Gas Inventory.

    2 Percent Leak Rate
    The new EDF study estimates the current methane leak rate from the U.S. oil and gas system is 2 percent, versus the current EPA inventory estimate of 1.4 percent. While the percentages seem small, the volume represents enough natural gas to fuel 10 million homes – lost gas worth an estimated $2 billion.

    “It has been an honor and privilege to be part of this community of researchers to better quantify the extent of the problem of methane emissions,” Marchese said. “When we started this work, there was a debate as to whether total methane loss from all natural gas operations was 1 percent, or as high as 8 percent. Those of us who were familiar with the engineering equipment and practices in place had a hard time believing that the leak rate was 8 percent ­– but we really didn’t know. Now, based on what we’ve concluded from five years of effort, our focus can go to the actionable practices and technologies that can reduce emissions rates.”

    More than 140 researchers from 40 institutions were co-authors on the underlying papers. Fifty oil and gas companies provided site access and technical advice to these studies. The findings reported feature measurements at over 400 well pads in six basins. They include scores of midstream facilities, data from component measurements, and aerial surveys covering large swaths of the U.S. oil and gas infrastructure.

    “These studies, synthesized in this Science paper, have transformed our understanding of methane emissions from natural gas systems in the United States,” said Professor David Allen, of the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, who is a contributor to the new paper and lead author on several of the earlier studies.

    Potent greenhouse gas

    Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas, with over 80 times the warming impact of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after it is released. It is also the main ingredient in natural gas, and a saleable product when recovered. The higher overall methane leak rate relative to EPA’s current estimate underscores a growing strategic business and environmental challenge for natural gas in an increasingly competitive, lower-carbon economy.

    “This is by far the most comprehensive body of research of its kind,” said EDF Chief Scientist Steven Hamburg. “Scientists have uncovered a huge problem, but also an enormous opportunity. Reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector is the fastest, most cost-effective way we have to slow the rate of warming today, even as the larger transition to lower-carbon energy continues.”

    The International Energy Agency estimates industry can reduce their worldwide emissions by 75 percent – and that up to two thirds of those reductions can be realized at zero net cost.

    “Although we confirmed that methane emissions are substantially higher than previously thought, the good news is that our new understanding provides a cost-effective path forward to eliminate the wastage of this valuable resource,” said Allen Robinson, professor and department head of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University.

    Industry action

    Leading companies are beginning to recognize the challenge, but action to reduce emissions is only just getting started. In April, BP set its first quantitative methane target. Last month ExxonMobil committed to cut methane emissions and flared gas volumes, following an earlier announcement from its subsidiary XTO Energy that unveiled their methane reduction program. Shell, Qatar Petroleum and a host of other producers have committed to continuously reduce methane emissions across the natural gas supply chain.

    Overall, EDF is calling for a 45 percent reduction in global oil and gas methane emissions by 2025 – a goal that would have the same short-term climate benefit as closing one-third of the world’s coal plants when achieved.

    “Industry leadership remains crucial,” said EDF Senior Vice President Mark Brownstein. “Companies have the ability to lead through operational best practices, comprehensive methane programs, target setting, technology innovation and pilots, and constructively engaging with the regulatory process.”

    EDF recently announced plans to build MethaneSAT, a purpose-built satellite designed to measure and map human-caused methane emissions almost anywhere on earth. Due to launch in 2021, MethaneSAT will help both countries and companies track problem areas, find solutions, and monitor their progress.

    EDF, the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative companies, and the UN Environment’s Climate and Clean Air Coalition are also collaborating on a set of peer-reviewed methane studies in locations across the globe, which will complement the data collected by MethaneSAT. These studies are built on the methods pioneered in the U.S.-based studies upon which the synthesis paper is based.

    Read more about this work at https://www.edf.org/climate/methane-studies.

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE  @I70Scout

     

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • DUI Enforcement Begins Today — 100 Deadliest Days

    DUI Enforcement Begins Today — 100 Deadliest Days

    CDOT Prepares for “100 Deadliest Days of Summer Blitz” with Increased Safety Enforcement and Outreach

    STATEWIDE — More fatal crashes happen on Colorado roads during the three months between Memorial Day and Labor Day than any other time of year. To keep drivers and passengers safe this summer, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP), local law enforcement agencies and other safety partners are collaborating to implement several safety enforcement and outreach efforts across the state.

    We can’t ignore the data — more fatalities happen on Colorado roads between Memorial Day and Labor Day than any other stretch during the year. That’s why we’re ramping up our efforts during this 100-day period to ensure everyone travels safely. —  Darrell Lingk, director of the Office of Transportation Safety at CDOT

    More cars on the road, an increase in motorcyclists and teen drivers, and a historic increase in impaired driving are all factors contributing to a spike in motor vehicle fatalities during the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Since 2013, 908 people have died in crashes on Colorado roads between June and August, accounting for nearly one-third of the total traffic fatalities in the state during that period. In 2017, June, July and August accounted for the three months with the highest fatalities compared to other months that year. 

    CDOT will be launching several high-visibility safety campaigns and heightened enforcement periods in an effort to keep Coloradans safe this summer:

    With more cars on the roads there is a higher risk for crashes to happen in the summer. We hope our increased efforts during this 100-day span can keep people safe and even save lives. — Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the CSP

    Impaired Driving

    Last June, 19 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes on Colorado roads. From June 15-25, CDOT, CSP and local law enforcement agencies are teaming up for the “Summer Blitz” DUI enforcement. CDOT and 101 participating law enforcement agencies hope to save lives by removing impaired drivers from Colorado roads during the heightened enforcement. A total of 508 DUI arrests were made during the enforcement period last year.

    CDOT is also getting ready to launch a summer-long effort to promote the use of smartphone breathalyzers to curb impaired driving. In conjunction with BACtack, a manufacturer of personal smartphone breathalyzers, CDOT’s goal is to raise awareness among Coloradans of the mobile breathalyzers as a tool to make informed, safe decisions and prevent impaired driving. CDOT representatives will be at various events throughout the summer to reach drinkers and showcase the breathalyzers in person.

    Seat Belt Safety

    Wearing a seat belt is the best defense to protect you from an impaired or distracted in a crash. To encourage more drivers to buckle up, CDOT, CSP and local law enforcement agencies recently teamed up for a statewide “May Mobilization” Click It or Ticket high-visibility seat belt enforcement from May 21 to June 3. A total of 5,877 drivers and passengers were cited during the enforcement for not buckling up, including 239 drivers who had an improperly restrained child under the age of 15 in their vehicle. The Loveland Police Department (464 citations), Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office (355 citations) and Longmont Police Department (315 citations) recorded the highest number of tickets statewide. In addition, CSP cited 1,658 drivers. Results for all agencies statewide are available at https://apps.coloradodot.info/trafficsafety/SeatBelts/index.cfm

    Click It or Ticket will return for a July enforcement period targeting rural areas of Colorado beginning July 16 through July 22. Last year, 1,221 unrestrained drivers and passengers were cited throughout the state during the enforcement.

    In conjunction with the Click It or Ticket summer enforcement periods, CDOT is airing new safety ads featuring real Coloradans to promote seat belt use. CDOT interviewed people throughout the state to learn their reasons for buckling up in the hopes that these messages will inspire fellow Coloradans to do the same.

    Child Passenger Safety

    Only one in four children are properly secured in their car seat, and car crashes are a leading cause of death in children ages 1-12, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). To increase car seat safety education and resources for parents, Car Seats Colorado — a joint initiative between CDOT and CSP — will host car seat check events in communities across Colorado. In addition, parents and caregivers can have their car seat checked by a certified Child Passenger Safety technician at any time by visiting a Car Seats Colorado inspection station. For more information, resources on proper car seat fit and a list of inspection station locations statewide, visit CarSeatsColorado.com.

    Motorcycle Safety

    Motorcycle deaths have spiked 44 percent in Colorado in recent years.  Motorcycle crashes often happen when a driver turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle.  This summer, CDOT’s motorcycle campaign will raise awareness of the importance of checking blind spots and “looking twice” for motorcyclists when pulling onto roadways.

    Teen Driver Outreach

    According to data from AAA, 10 people will die in a crash involving a teen driver each day during the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day. CDOT will continue public outreach about Colorado’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws designed to help teen drivers develop safe driving skills while following designated restrictions in their first years of driving.

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE  @I70Scout

     

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • Red Flag Warning Issued For Montrose — Thursday, June 14

    Red Flag Warning Issued For Montrose — Thursday, June 14

    Montrose, CO, June 13, 2018 – A Red Flag Warning has been issued for southwest Colorado from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 14, 2018 due to the threat of dry lightning and the presence of dry fuels.

    The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests would like to discourage the public from doing ANY outdoor burning during Red Flag Warning periods. High winds, low humidity, and elevated temperatures create dangerous wildfire conditions in our area. Fuels will ignite readily and will result in extreme fire spread. We would like to thank the public for their fire prevention efforts and remind everyone that we are all partners in wildfire prevention.

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE  @I70Scout

     

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • $90 Million in Grants Issued to widen South I-25 and West I-70

    $90 Million in Grants Issued to widen South I-25 and West I-70

    Gardner, Bennet Announce $65 Million South I-25 and $25 Million I-70 INFRA Grants

    Washington, DC – Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) today announced El Paso County will receive a $65 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant to widen an approximately 18-mile segment of I-25 from Monument to Castle Rock by adding one express lane in each direction. Additionally, the Colorado Department of Transportation will receive a $25 million INFRA grant to add an additional 12-mile shoulder lane on Interstate 70 in Clear Creek County.

    “I’m thrilled to announce Colorado will receive $90 million dollars for critical infrastructure projects in our state,” said Gardner. “Coloradans who commute on South I-25 every day or utilize I-70 to travel to the Western Slope and experience the beautiful public lands Colorado has to offer are all too familiar with the unbearable traffic on Colorado highways. These projects will help alleviate congestion on South I-25 and I-70 and help improve the lives of every Coloradan who travels our roads.”

    “Colorado’s infrastructure requires significant investment to keep pace with the enormous growth of new residents and tourists,” said Bennet. “These grants will help make improvements to the critical links Coloradans use every day to reach the high country and Southern Colorado.”

    Gardner and Bennet sent letters in support of these grants in October 2017.

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE  @I70Scout

     

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • Construction Notice — KIOWA BENNETT ROAD —

    Construction Notice — KIOWA BENNETT ROAD —

    2018 Pavement Preservation Treatment Program – Kiowa-Bennett Rd.

    • June 4-21: Asphalt paving on Kiowa-Bennett Rd., from south of Quincy to Mississippi

    • Temporary lane closures, moving lane restrictions

    • Work to occur 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Kiowa-Bennett Road Construction Map

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE  @I70Scout

     

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • Ozone Action Day Alert in Effect

    The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued an ACTION DAY ALERT at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 for 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.

    Hot temperatures, light winds, and sunny skies are expected to lead to increased ground-level ozone concentrations on Thursday.

    This Action Day Alert will remain in effect until at least 4 p.m. Thursday, May 31, 2018.

    Front Range Air Quality Forecast & Colorado Smoke Outlook

    Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Good to Moderate range on Wednesday, and in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range on Thursday. Concentrations of ozone in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category are most likely for locations within the Denver Metro area and northward along the Front Range urban corridor, including Fort Collins and Greeley on Thursday. In these areas active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion from noon until 8 PM on Thursday. Moderate concentrations of ozone are anticipated elsewhere throughout the Front Range region, and unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion from noon until 10 PM on Wednesday and Thursday.

    Fine Particulate Matter concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Wednesday and Thursday.

    Carbon Monoxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Wednesday and Thursday.

    Nitrogen Dioxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Wednesday and Thursday.

    Visibility is expected to be Good to Moderate on Thursday.

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

     

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • Today Governor and Agencies Provide 2018 Wildfire Outlook

    Today Governor and Agencies Provide 2018 Wildfire Outlook

    Denver, Colo.– The Governor’s annual wildfire briefing is being held today at the Aero Colorado Hangar, Centennial Airport, 8082 South Interport Blvd Englewood CO 80112. Aerial and ground static displays will follow the press conference. 

    The Director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety and the Director of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) will join Governor Hickenlooper to share the state’s wildfire potential for 2018 and provide updates on the level of state preparedness. 

    Gov. John Hickenlooper, Colorado Department of Public Safety and Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, Colorado National Guard Helicopter and Bambi bucket, DFPC Multi-Mission Aircraft, DFPC Single Engine Air Tanker, US Forest Service Type 3 Engine and hotshot crew, South Metro Fire Type 3 Engine, DFPC Type 3 Engine and the DFPC Mobile Live Fire Trailer Unit.

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE  @I70Scout

     

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US

     

  • High Fire Danger Warning Issued

    High Fire Danger Warning Issued

    State Officials Warn of High Fire Danger

    State fire officials are warning that continued dry conditions in the lower elevations and plains of Colorado mean that fire danger is a concern. Thursday, April 12th, will be one of the worst days of the season; low relative humidity, high winds, and spiking heat will bring extreme fire danger to Colorado, specifically along the Front Range and the southern portion of Colorado.

    With the majority of fire starts being human-caused in combination with the drought conditions in Colorado, we are at increased risk of some of the largest, most damaging wildfires. But by working together and doing our part, we can make our communities safer. — Mike Morgan, Division of Fire Prevention and Control Director 

    DFPC is asking everyone to be extra cautious and do your part to help prevent wildfires. 

    Please follow these prevention tips:

    • Don’t mow or trim grass on windy days
    • Ensure campfires are completely extinguished-never leave a fire unattended
    • Never pull your vehicle over in dry grass 
    • Make sure cigarette butts are properly extinguished
    • Off-road vehicles and chainsaws should be equipped with approved and recently updated spark arresters
    • Be careful with welding equipment, and any open flames outdoors

    SPREAD THE NEWS

    COMMENT, Like, Follow & SHARE @I70Scout

     

    CURRENT EDITION

    WEATHER & TRAFFIC    PUZZLES    RECENT NEWS    ADVERTISE WITH US