Air Quality Health Advisory Issued For Chaffee County

An Air Quality Health Advisory for wildfire smoke has been issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke includes Saguache, Chaffee, and Fremont Counties from 5 pm Tuesday (Sept. 10) until 9 am Wednesday morning (Sept. 11).

Periods of moderate to heavy smoke are expected from the Decker wildfire Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning. Smoke will generally move to the northeast of the fire towards the Chaffee and Fremont county line, and could bring periods of heavy smoke to Salida, Cleora and Wellsville. 

However, heavier smoke is expected Tuesday night and Wednesday morning to locations below the fire to the south and southwest in northeastern Saguache County. Areas with the heaviest smoke impacts will be along and near US Highway 285, from Alder south to Villa Grove.

If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your area, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recommends remaining 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 area, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.