Front Range Air Quality Forecast & Colorado Smoke Outlook August 9, 2020

We are hearing reports of a smoke smell in the Foothills. According to fire.airnow.gov/ it is still coming over from the #PineGulchFire in Grand Junction.


Front Range Ozone Action Day Alert Until at least 4 p.m. 08/09/2020

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 Saturday, August 8, 2020 for the Front Range Urban Corridor from Douglas County north to Larimer and Weld counties, including the Denver-Boulder area, Fort Collins and Greeley.

Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range on Saturday and Sunday. The highest concentrations of ozone are expected for locations in the southern and western portions of the Denver Metro area on Saturday. On Sunday, this area expands northward along the Front Range to include Boulder, Longmont, and Fort Collins.

This Ozone Action Day Alert will remain in effect until at least 4 p.m. Sunday, August 9, 2020.

For statewide conditions, forecasts and advisories, visit:
www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx

The highest Ozone related AQI at 6 o'clock AM Mountain Standard Time on August 9, 2020, is 58 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 6 o'clock AM Mountain Standard Time on August 9, 2020, is 61 which indicates Moderate Particulate Matter (PM2.5) air quality. It was recorded by the LNGM 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:
Saturday, August 8, 2020, 1:00 PM MDT

Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range on Saturday and Sunday. The highest concentrations of ozone are expected for locations in the southern and western portions of the Denver Metro area on Saturday. On Sunday, this area expands northward along the Front Range to include Boulder, Longmont, and Fort Collins. 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 Saturday and Sunday. Elsewhere throughout the Front Range, Moderate concentrations of ozone expected, and unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion from noon to 10 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Fine Particulate Matter concentrations are expected to be in the Good to Moderate range on Saturday and Sunday. Moderate concentrations of fine particulates are most likely for locations in the northern Colorado Front Range region, from the Denver Metro area northward, including Longmont, Fort Collins, and Greeley. In these areas unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion on Saturday and Sunday.

Carbon Monoxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Saturday and Sunday.

Nitrogen Dioxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Saturday and Sunday.

Visibility on Sunday is expected to be Moderate to Poor.

From USFS Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, South Platte Ranger District:

Please see the map showing the heavy drift smoke this morning throughout the Front Range from the Pine Gulch Fire in Grand Junction.

There are currently no fires locally as this is just drift smoke.