Sunday, June 16, 2013, 2:15 pm
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. IF VISIBILITY IS LESS THAN 5 MILES IN SMOKE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, SMOKE HAS REACHED LEVELS THAT ARE UNHEALTHY.
For additional information about smoke, visit:
http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/wildfire.aspx
WILDFIRE SMOKE HEALTH ADVISORY
Issued for West Fork Fire in Mineral County north of Pagosa Springs
Issued at 9:00 AM Sunday 6/16/13
Continued at 3:00 PM Sunday 6/16/13
Affected Area: From the West Fork Wildfire in Mineral County to the east and northeast including South Fork, Del Norte and Saguache, and also south of the fire to the Piedra River Valley including Pagosa Springs.
Advisory in Effect: 9:00 AM Sunday 6/16/13 to 9:00 AM Monday 6/17/13
Outlook: By late Sunday evening light drainage winds will redevelop near the fire, once again producing moderate to heavy smoke impacts to the south of the fire in the Piedra River Valley including Pagosa Springs. The wind will shift to the west and southwest Monday morning lifting the smoke from the Piedra River Valley, but increasing the threat for moderate to heavy smoke for locations to the east and northeast of the fire. Locations potentially impacted late Monday morning through Monday evening include, but are not limited to South Fork, Del Norte, Saguache and the Rio Grande National Forest. Isolated thunderstorms Monday afternoon could produce erratic and gusty winds locally transporting smoke to other areas near the fire.
SMOKE FROM FIRES
Variable smoke conditions are expected near other wildfires, including the possibility of locally heavy smoke. Larger fires include:
The Black Forest Wildfire north of Colorado Springs. Light drainage winds are expected Sunday night near the fire and moderate to locally heavy smoke will drain down the various valleys coming off the Palmer Divide, possibly pushing smoke impacts into the Colorado Springs metro area. A southerly wind will develop on Monday shifting the potential smoke impacts to locations north of the fire. Thunderstorms on Monday could once again produce erratic and gusty winds near the fire.
The Big Meadows Wildfire in Rocky Mountain National Park about 5 miles northeast of Grand Lake. Sunday night light drainage winds could produce light to moderate smoke near Grand Lake. With west to southwest breezes redeveloping on Monday, smoke may be visible in Estes Park, Loveland and Ft. Collins. Thunderstorms could also produce erratic and gusty winds near the fire at times on Monday.
The Ward Gulch Wildfire about 10 miles north of Rifle (3 miles north of Rifle Gap). Sunday night smoke is expected to move downslope/down valley where it could affect downwind areas, including Rifle and Silt. Smoke is expected to move back to locations east and northeast of the fire on Monday.
The Lackey Fan Wildfire 20 miles southeast of Moab, Utah. For Sunday night smoke impacts should remain in close vicinity to the fire in southeastern Utah. On Monday as the winds increase from the southwest, smoke impacts could be felt along the Colorado River Valley to include Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade.
The Royal Gorge Wildfire just west of Canon City in Fremont County. Light to moderate smoke is possible near the fire Sunday night and Monday.
The Wild and Hacking Wildfires in Dinosaur National Monument 23 miles north of Dinosaur. Smoke impacts Sunday night should be limited to areas in close vicinity of the fire. Light to moderate smoke could spread a little further to the east and southeast during the day on Monday.
Light to moderate smoke from fires in New Mexico will continue to contribute to background haze in the San Luis Valley and parts of eastern Colorado.
For more information on air quality, visit:
http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx