The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued an air quality health advisory today for Aspen, the Roaring Fork Valley and many Western Slope counties due to smoke from out-of-state wildfires.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued an air quality health advisory today for Aspen, the Roaring Fork Valley and many Western Slope counties due to smoke from out-of-state wildfires.
Due to fires in Utah and Nevada inundating much of western Colorado with smoke, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued an air quality health advisory today for Aspen, the Roaring Fork Valley and many Western Slope counties.
The advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Thursday. Meanwhile, the Dry Creek Fire that started Tuesday about four miles south of the Rifle airport had grown from 288 acres on Tuesday evening to an estimated 315 acres by midday Wednesday.
“Smoke levels could increase or decrease rapidly at times during the advisory period due to the very unstable atmospheric conditions,” the state health department said in its advisory.
The air advisory was issued for Rio Blanco, Garfield, Sage, Pitkin, Mesa, Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, San Miguel, Ouray, Dolores, San Juan, Montezuma, La Plata, Hinsdale, Mineral and Saguache counties.
The CDPHE recommends, “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 older adults. 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 advisory adds.
Pitkin and Garfield counties and all area lands managed by the White River National Forest are set to enter Stage 2 fire restrictions at 12:01 a.m. Friday.
For Pitkin County, that means all open fires and fireworks are prohibited. Open fires include campfires, charcoal grills, pellet grills or smokers, and wood-burning stoves.
The restriction bans open-flame grills or campfires in all developed recreation sites, campgrounds or private property.
Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle, building or outdoor urban area free of flammable material. Discarding a cigarette from a vehicle is always illegal.
The use of spark-producing devices also is prohibited. That means no operation of equipment powered by internal combustion engines (chainsaws, grinder or generators) unless equipped with a spark arrester or operated in an area without vegetation and with a readily available fire extinguisher. The use of welding equipment or torch engines also is prohibited.
“Continued hot, dry and windy weather this month has steadily increased fire danger, with little change expected in the forecast,” a WRNF news release says.
A 75% chance of precipitation is forecast in Aspen for Thursday, according to the National Weather Service office in Grand Junction. However, the potential for some relief comes with the increased risk of lightning starts.
“We are urging everyone to be extremely vigilant,” Deputy Forest Supervisor Alicia Bell-Sheeter said in the release. “Dragging trailer chains, parking in dry grass, even setting hot equipment down in dry vegetation can start fires right now.”
Also today, the NWS issued a fire weather watch for gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels. The watch is in effect from Saturday morning through Saturday evening for the Roaring Fork Valley and much of the Western Slope.
Winds on Saturday are estimated to be between 20-30 mph, with gusts up to 55 mph. Humidity will be in the 11-16% range.
“Elevated fire danger is expected. Fires will catch and spread rapidly and erratically,” the NWS office said.
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