Front Range Ozone Action Day Alert Until at least 4 p.m. 05/28/2021

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued an ACTION DAY ALERT at 4PM on Thursday, May 27, 2021 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 levels are expected to reach levels in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category on Friday. The highest concentrations of ozone are most likely for locations in the southern and western portions of the Denver Metro area and northward along the western portions of the Front Range and lower foothills to include 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 Friday.

This Ozone Action Day Alert will remain in effect until at least 4 p.m. Friday, May 28, 2021.

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

At 5PM (MST), Thursday, 5/27/2021 the highest AQI value was 80 for Ozone which indicates Moderate air quality. Unusually sensitive individuals may experience respiratory symptoms. Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Regional Air Quality Council's Summer 2021 Ozone Action Day Alert Program begins June 1. The winter High Pollution Advisory Program begins on November 1. Air Quality Action Days or advisories for ozone for other pollutants, however, will be issued as needed at any time during the year and reported on this web page.

The Air Pollution Control Division's Winter 2020/2021 High Pollution Advisory Program has concluded. Thank you for your interest in and support for efforts to improve air quality for the citizens of the Denver- metro area.

Front Range Air Quality Forecast & Colorado Smoke Outlook

FRONT RANGE AIR QUALITY FORECAST:
Thursday, May 27, 2021, 1:50 PM MDT

Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the the Good to Moderate range on Thursday, and in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range on Friday. Concentrations of ozone in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category are most likely for locations in the southern and western portions of the Denver Metro area, and northward along western portions of the Front Range and lower foothills to include 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 Friday. Elsewhere throughout the Colorado Front Range region, Moderate concentrations of ozone are expected and unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion on from noon to 10 pm on Thursday and Friday.

Fine Particulate Matter concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Thursday and Friday.

Carbon Monoxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Thursday and Friday.

Nitrogen Dioxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Thursday and Friday.

Visibility in Denver on Friday is expected to be Good to Moderate.

COLORADO SMOKE OUTLOOK:
Thursday, May 27, 2021, 1:50 PM MDT

Light to moderate concentrations of smoke are possible near small wildfires and prescribed burns around the state.

What if there is a wildfire or smoke in your area?
The focus of the Colorado Smoke Outlook is on large fires (e.g., greater than 100 acres in size). Nevertheless, smoke from smaller fires, prescribed fires, and/or smoke from new fires not yet known to
CDPHE air quality meteorologists may cause locally heavy smoke. If there is smoke in your neighborhood, see the public health recommendations below.

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.

Additional Information

WHAT IS AN ACTION DAY?: An Action Day for fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone or other pollutants indicates that either current air quality is unhealthy or conditions are expected to worsen later in the day or on the next day. Action Days for air pollutants generally indicate that air quality will be in either the Unhealthy or Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups categories according to the Air Quality Index. Action Days always convey overarching public health recommendations, and, according to season, trigger a variety of mandatory and voluntary pollution prevention measures. For example, during the summer open burning is prohibited when an Action Day for ozone and/or fine particulates is in effect. During the winter, residential burning restrictions are in effect when an Action Day for Visibility is in effect.

For a detailed description of both the AIR QUALITY INDEX and the VISIBILITY STANDARD INDEX please visit www.colorado.gov/airquality/brochure.aspx

COLORADO OPEN BURN FORECAST: For those with permits for open burning, that is the burning of waste materials or vegetation outside, check the following webpage to find out if open burning is allowed today. Keep in mind that open burning is prohibited when an Action Day is in effect:
www.colorado.gov/airquality/burn_forecast.aspx

FOR CURRENT FRONT RANGE ACTION DAYS/ADVISORIES:
www.colorado.gov/airquality/advisory.aspx

FOR CURRENT AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS STATEWIDE:
www.colorado.gov/airquality/air_quality.aspx

SOCIAL MEDIA:
www.facebook.com/cdphe.apcd
twitter.com/cdpheapcd

AIR QUALITY NOTIFICATIONS:
www.colorado.gov/airquality/request_alerts.aspx (CDPHE automated e-mail alerts)
www.enviroflash.info/signup.cfm (CDPHE forecasts via automated e-mails from the EPA)

Summer Ozone Program

Ground-level ozone is an air pollution problem that impacts the health of all Coloradans. Exposure can cause acute respiratory problems and trigger asthma attacks. During Ozone Action Alerts, avoid rigorous outdoor activity during the heat of the day. Prolonged exposure can cause long-lasting damage to your lungs.

You CAN make a difference by doing your part to improve air quality along Denver's Front Range. Combining or skipping just two car trips a week has a positive impact on our air quality. Find other easy solutions that fit your lifestyle from Simple Steps. Better Air. ( www.SimpleStepsBetterAir.org ), a program of the Regional Air Quality Council.

www.colorado.gov/airquality/advisory.aspx