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

  • WHERE: Chaffee and Fremont Counties.
  • WHEN: 9 am Sunday, October 6th, to 9 am Monday, October 7th.

Air Quality Health Advisory Details

Smoke impacts from the Decker Fire continue to be intermittent on Sunday. Winds are expected to be light and variable on Sunday. Smoke impacts during daytime hours will likely be in areas in the immediate vicinity of the fire. The heaviest impacts from smoke will likely be in locations in Chaffee and Fremont Counties, just south of the Chaffee and Fremont county line with intervals of moderate to perhaps heavy smoke.

Overnight on Sunday night and early Monday morning, light drainage winds will allow smoke to accumulate in low- lying terrain in areas 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 Monday morning. However, particularly during overnight hours, smoke impacts remain possible in locations to the west of the fire in the northern San Luis Valley, along Highway 285 between Mears Junction and Villa Grove.

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.