The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for wildfire smoke until 9:00 am Sunday.

  • WHERE: Chaffee and Fremont Counties.
  • WHEN: 9 am Saturday, October 5th, to 9 am Sunday, October 6th.

Air Quality Health Advisory Details

Smoke impacts from the Decker Fire remained minimal overnight and early on Saturday morning, however winds are expected to increase once again on Saturday afternoon, increasing fire behavior and smoke production.

Winds will be primarily out of the west throughout the day on Saturday, as well as overnight Saturday night. Smoke will generally move toward the east of the fire, bringing periods of smoke to locations downwind of the fire as smoke production increases during the afternoon hours on Saturday. The heaviest impacts from smoke will likely be in locations in Chaffee County, just south of the Chaffee and Fremont county line with intervals of moderate to perhaps heavy smoke. Overnight Saturday night the winds will turn lighter but will remain mainly out of the west. Lighter wind speeds may allow accumulation of smoke in low-lying terrain in areas immediately below the fire.

The primary threat of moderate to heavy smoke remains in areas near Poncha Springs, and to the east and southeastward through Salida and down the Arkansas River drainage into northwestern parts of Fremont County, including Cleora, Wellsville, Howard, and Coaldale through Sunday morning. However, light to moderate concentrations of smoke may me experienced in areas to the west and southwest of the fire along Highway 285 between Mears Junction and Villa Grove as winds become light during overnight hours.

Health Information

Public Health Recommendations: Increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals, aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in people with cardiopulmonary disease and older adults. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.

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.