Air Quality Health Advisory Issued for Chaffee County

Decker Fire on Methodist MountainThe Decker Fire on Methodist Mountain viewed from Highway 50.

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

  • WHERE: Chaffee and Fremont Counties.
  • WHEN: 9 am Wednesday, October 2nd, to 9:00 am Thursday, October 3rd.

Air Quality Health Advisory Details

Prolonged periods of moderate to heavy smoke are expected Wednesday into Thursday morning from the Decker wildfire, located in far northeast Saguache County approximately 8 miles south of Poncha Springs.

Although smoke concentrations will generally decrease across the advisory area Wednesday morning and early afternoon, smoke is expected to increase again Wednesday afternoon and evening as fire activity increases. Smoke impacts are expected to continue through at least Thursday morning.

Smoke will generally move to the east of the fire into southeastern Chaffee and northeastern Fremont county, and could bring periods of heavy smoke to Poncha Springs, Smeltertown, Salida, Cleora, Wellsville, Howard, Coaldale, and Cotopaxi.

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.

Terry West
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