AIR QUALITY HEALTH ADVISORY FOR WILDFIRE SMOKE FROM 900 AM SUNDAY UNTIL 900 AM MONDAY

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following...

WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke.

WHERE...Dolores, San Miguel, Ouray, Montrose, Gunnison, Delta, Mesa, Pitkin, Chaffee, Lake, Park, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Rio Blanco, Routt, Grand, Moffat, Jackson and northern Montezuma Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Dove Creek, Telluride, Ouray, Montrose, Nucla, Gunnison, Delta, Grand Junction, Aspen, Buena Vista, Salida, Leadville, Fairplay, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Georgetown, Central City, Meeker, Rangely, Steamboat Springs, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Craig, and Walden.

WHEN...900 AM Sunday June 28 to 900 AM Monday June 29

IMPACTS...Areas near and downwind of large fires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah could have periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Monday morning.

HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: 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. close

...PROLONGED CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED FOR THE HIGH COUNTRY TODAY AND AGAIN ON MONDAY...POTENTIALLY CONTINUING THROUGH THE UPCOMING WEEK...

A warm and dry airmass will coincide with gusty west and southwest winds today and Monday, and could potentially continue through most of the upcoming week. Sustained winds are expected to exceed 20 to 30 mph across much of the high country Sunday afternoon, with gusts up to 45 mph, strongest for exposed areas and higher elevations. These conditions will drive very high fire danger across the warned area. Any new starts or established fires will likely spread rapidly under these conditions.

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from noon to 9 PM MDT Monday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 212, 213, 214 and 216.

* TIMING...For the first Red Flag Warning, until 9 PM MDT this evening. For the second Red Flag Warning, from noon to 9 PM MDT Monday.

* WINDS...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph both Sunday and Monday.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Between 9 and 14 percent both Sunday and Monday.

* IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. close

RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE MOUNTAINS...HIGH VALLEYS AND SOUTHERN FOOTHILLS... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM MDT MONDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR MIDDLE PARK, SOUTH PARK, AND THE MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS ALONG AND SOUTH OF I-70

The Fire Weather Watch has been replaced. Please see the latest information from NWS Denver CO on this developing situation.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. close

AIR QUALITY HEALTH ADVISORY FOR WILDFIRE SMOKE FROM 900 AM SUNDAY UNTIL 900 AM MONDAY

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following...

WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke.

WHERE...Dolores, San Miguel, Ouray, Montrose, Gunnison, Delta, Mesa, Pitkin, Chaffee, Lake, Park, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Rio Blanco, Routt, Grand, Moffat, Jackson and northern Montezuma Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Dove Creek, Telluride, Ouray, Montrose, Nucla, Gunnison, Delta, Grand Junction, Aspen, Buena Vista, Salida, Leadville, Fairplay, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Georgetown, Central City, Meeker, Rangely, Steamboat Springs, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Craig, and Walden.

WHEN...900 AM Sunday June 28 to 900 AM Monday June 29

IMPACTS...Areas near and downwind of large fires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah could have periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Monday morning.

HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: 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. close