The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Regional Air Quality Council have issued an OZONE ACTION DAY ALERT at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 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, abundant sunshine, and light winds are expected to allow ozone to reach significant concentrations on Wednesday and Thursday.
This Ozone Action Day Alert will remain in effect until at least 4 p.m. Thursday, August 31, 2017.
For statewide conditions, forecasts and advisories, visit:
http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx
The highest Ozone related AQI at 1 o’clock PM Mountain Standard Time on August 30, 2017, is 64 which indicates Moderate ozone air quality. It was recorded by the RFN ambient ozone monitor. Unusually sensitive individuals may experience respiratory symptoms. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
The highest Particulate Matter (PM2.5) related AQI at 1 o’clock PM Mountain Standard Time on August 30, 2017, is 74 which indicates Moderate Particulate Matter (PM2.5) air quality. It was recorded by the ADM ambient monitor. Respiratory symptoms possible in unusually sensitive individuals, possible aggravation of heart or lung disease in people with cardiopulmonary disease and older adults. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.
Front Range Air Quality Forecast & Colorado Smoke Outlook
FRONT RANGE AIR QUALITY FORECAST:
Wednesday, August 30, 2017, 2:15 PM MDT
Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range on Wednesday and Thursday. Ozone concentrations in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category are most likely for the south and west suburbs of Denver and northward along and near the foothills to Fort Collins. In these areas, active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion on Wednesday and Thursday from noon until 8 PM. Moderate concentrations of ozone are expected elsewhere throughout the Colorado Front Range on Wednesday and Thursday.
Fine Particulate Matter concentrations are expected to be in the Good to Moderate range on Wednesday and Thursday. Moderate concentrations of fine particulates are expected throughout the Northern Colorado Front Range including the Denver Metro area, Fort Collins, and Greeley. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion throughout the Front Range region on Wednesday and Thursday. Concentrations of fine particulates are expected to decrease throughout the day on Thursday and into Friday.
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 on Thursday is expected to be Moderate to Poor in the morning, improving to Good to Moderate in the afternoon.
COLORADO SMOKE OUTLOOK:
Wednesday, August 30, 2017, 2:25 PM MDT
Areas of haze are likely on Wednesday and Thursday morning across Colorado due to smoke being transported from wildfires in the northwestern United States. No major health impacts are anticipated, however unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion on Wednesday and Thursday. The transport, and therefore concentration of this smoke is expected to decrease throughout the day on Thursday as winds in the middle to upper atmosphere shift in direction, limiting the movement of smoke into Colorado.
The 529 acre Big Red wildfire is located in northeast Routt County, approximately 15 miles north of Clark, near the western edge of the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness area. Winds near the fire will be from a north or northwest direction on Wednesday afternoon and evening, likely transporting smoke to the south or southeast of the fire. Overnight, light drainage winds will allow smoke to reach lower terrain, immediately below the fire. Locations affected by smoke during the overnight and early morning hours are likely to be along the Middle Fork Little Snake River drainage in the vicinity of Big Red Park and Crane Park; and in remote areas of rural Routt County. No public health impacts are expected, however smoke may be visible from Highway 129 near Steamboat Lake State Park and between Clark and the Colorado/Wyoming State line. Light to moderate smoke is also possible near prescribed fires and small wildfires around the state.