Smoke returning to Colorado heading into the weekend

After a welcome break from the many smoke impacts we saw this month, smoke from wildfires will begin to affect Colorado once again. There will be widely varying conditions found throughout the state, so let's take a bit of a tour to discuss potential impacts.

The only fire in Colorado that is producing notable amounts of smoke is the Rio Blanco Fire in southern Archuleta County, south of Pagosa Springs. This fire has produced significant plumes of smoke at times, yet much of the smoke has lifted away from the surface during daytime hours. Overnight, smoke appears to follow drainages in this area. Smoke may move along Rio Blanco and County Road 335, moving southwest toward the Southern Ute Reservation. No Advisory has been issued for this area. We will watch the situation closely and provide updates. We urge folks in this area to remain aware of air quality conditions, and take action to avoid or reduce impacts if smoke is present in your location.

Map showing the location of the Rio Blanco Fire in southwest Colorado. Image courtesy of InciWeb.

Elsewhere, smoke from fires outside of Colorado are having mild to moderate impacts. Smoke from fires in the Pacific Northwest has followed winds in the upper atmosphere into northeastern Colorado, including the Front Range. Surface concentrations have been limited, only reaching Moderate on the AQI scale. This is expected to continue on Friday and into the weekend. However, folks in eastern Colorado will notice hazy skies and light to moderate levels of fine particulates at times.

Satellite image showing smoke over Colorado at 7 pm MDT on Thursday July 30, 2026. Most of the smoke in this image remains aloft and is not creating significant surface impacts. Image courtesy CIRA/CSU/NOAA.

On the western slope of Colorado a similar story may unfold as smoke from fires in Utah and Nevada head into our state. Surface observations have shown only light concentrations of smoke so far. Hazy skies are likely and there is potential for particulate concentrations to increase. Moderate levels of smoke are possible if these fires remain active and atmospheric conditions bring smoke into our state.

For now, smoke conditions in Colorado are not expected to reach the level of concern that was present in early and mid July. If this changes, we will provide more information here, and may issue advisories for areas that are affected. We always want to keep everyone informed of current conditions and expectations so you can make appropriate decisions for your health, in your location.

Improved smoke conditions for Wednesday

Today, wildfire smoke is expected to be minimal across Colorado. This includes locations near the Aspen Acres Fire, which saw heavy smoke earlier this week. Overnight, rain helped to clear the smoke. For Wednesday and Thursday, Good to Moderate air quality is expected in Beulah, Rye, Colorado City, and Pueblo.

Yesterday, there were widespread rain showers on the Western Slope. The fires burning in western Colorado- Elk, Gold Mountain, Willow, and Fishhook- did not grow significantly on Tuesday. Today, these fires are not expected to produce heavy smoke. Expect Good to Moderate air quality today in locations near these fires.

Here's what's coming next. This afternoon, rain is expected across the Western Slope. Eastern Colorado will start to see showers late Wednesday evening into Thursday. Another dose of rain is coming on Thursday. Rainy weather will continue to clear out residual smoke and limit fire growth this week. 

New wildfire start in northwestern Colorado

A new fire has emerged in Moffat County, approximately 12 miles southwest of Craig, CO. The Yampa Fire (also called the Fuhr Gulch Fire) is estimated to be between 100-500 acres. Smoke from this fire may be visible along Highway 13 between Axial and Craig, along Highway 40 west of Craig, as well as from other locations in this area. Smoke may settle in low lying terrain along the Yampa River overnight Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Remain aware of air quality conditions if in this area, and take action to protect your health if smoke becomes thick in your location.

Tuesday update for Aspen Acres smoke

 Smoke from the Aspen Acres Fire will continue on Tuesday, but changes will arrive later this week.

This morning, smoke is heavy in Rye, Colorado City, and Beulah. An Air Quality Health Advisory remains in effect for these locations until 9 am Wednesday. However, we are tracking changes that may improve the smoke situation this week.

Tuesday afternoon, there is a slight chance of thunderstorms near the fire. As the week goes on, the chance for thunderstorms and measurable rain increases. Gusty winds from these storms may help to clear out smoke, while rain could slow fire growth. In other words, air quality might improve throughout this week. As these storms roll through, we will update the blog with any air quality changes.

Smoke has arrived to northeastern Colorado

 

A hazy Denver skyline Tuesday morning via the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division webcam

Canadian wildfire smoke has increased particle pollution levels all across northeastern Colorado Tuesday morning. Although the smoke is not nearly as heavy as what was experienced across the eastern United States last week, it is noticeable with poor visibility throughout the region.

Although smoke levels are not high enough for an advisory at this time, some health impacts may be felt today including irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. You will certainly want to take it easy today if you suffer from asthma or other lung ailments. Please keep in mind that an Ozone Action Day Alert is also in effect today for the northern Front Range region (Denver, Boulder, Ft. Collins, Greeley, and surrounding areas). So health impacts could be further increased in those areas.

Smoke levels could fluctuate across northeastern Colorado through Wednesday, but are not expected to get much worse than current conditions.

 

Canadian wildfire smoke possible in northeastern Colorado on Tuesday

Lighter shades of blue over North and South Dakota denote particle pollution (smoke) that may move into northeastern Colorado starting late Monday night. Image courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's AerosolWatch

Canadian wildfires made a lot of headlines last week with very heavy smoke across the eastern United States. Although Colorado is not expecting anything that bad, some smoke will be possible starting late Monday night across the northeastern corner of the state. As northeasterly winds increase, that smoke is expected to spread to the south and west. Increasing smoke will be possible by Tuesday morning across the eastern plains of Colorado (mostly along and north of Interstate 70), including Julesburg, Ft. Morgan, and Burlington. The Northern Front Range urban corridor could also have hazy skies by Tuesday morning, including Denver, Boulder, Longmont, Ft. Collins and surrounding areas.

Although we are not anticipating unhealthy levels of smoke at this time, the smoke could certainly be noticeable with poor visibility and some public health impacts. The Denver/Northern Front Range area has been contending with high ozone for the past several days. The addition of particle pollution from smoke could increase some health symptoms. This is especially true for those with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children. Please take it a bit slower on Tuesday and be prepared to protect your health if air quality worsens in your area.

Air quality advisory remains in effect near the Aspen Acres fire

A smoke plume coming off the Aspen Acres fire Monday morning. Image courtesy of RAMMB/CIRA at Colorado State University

Remaining hot and dry for Monday and Tuesday at the Aspen Acres fire where an Air Quality Health Advisory remains in effect. Smoke remains a public health issue in the communities of Beulah, Colorado City, and Rye in southwestern Pueblo County. Heavy smoke in these areas is most likely during the mornings. Keep an eye on air quality monitors in this area so you can go outside at times where the smoke is not quite as heavy. 

Downwind smoke impacts will also be possible starting Monday afternoon for locations to the west of the fire. Stay alert to quickly changing air quality conditions in Westcliffe today. Some smoke may even get as far west as the San Luis Valley, including Alamosa.

One other fire that is producing periods of heavy smoke is the Willow fire in Lake County near Leadville. Smoke from this fire is mostly a problem during the mornings, particularly in southern parts of Lake County. So if you reside in the Twin Lakes area, it's likely a good idea to close your windows before you go to bed at night and limit your time outdoors during the mornings. If possible, delay outside time until the afternoons when the smoke has had time to clear.

Aspen Acres Fire once again producing large amounts of smoke

The Aspen Acres fire in southern Colorado is once again producing large amounts of smoke. Moderate to heavy concentrations of smoke are expected in areas near active portions of the fire. The heaviest impacts are expected in Custer County and southwestern portions of Pueblo County overnight Sunday and into Monday morning. An Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke has been issued for this area.

Satellite image showing the location of the Aspen Acres fire. The red dot in the center of the image indicates the most active parts of the fire. Image courtesy of CIRA/CSU/NOAA.

If smoke becomes thick in your area, take measures to protect your health.

Air quality advisories for smoke will expire on Friday, intermittent smoke will linger

Over the last couple of days the overall impacts from smoke have decreased. Areas directly near and below fires in Colorado have seen smoke settling in low lying terrain overnight and in the early mornings. However smoke has dissipated during the midday and afternoon periods. Because of these improvements, the Air Quality Health Advisories for Wildfire Smoke will be allowed to expire at 9 am on Friday.

With this said, we acknowledge that the fires continue to burn, and smoke is likely to be found in some areas at some times. Please also keep in mind that folks who have been breathing smoke for days may have lingering health impacts due to this exposure. While the improvements in air quality and the expiry of Advisories is positive and welcome news, we urge everyone to remain cautious with heavy physical exertion, and continue to be aware of changing conditions.

We will keep a close watch on weather conditions and fire activity, and will re-issue advisories if we see increases in smoke that support those alerts. Stay tuned for updated information here, and find some time to enjoy the current improvements in air quality.

Smoke impacts continue in Colorado

The wildfires in Colorado will continue to cause air quality issues in areas of Colorado. As in recent days, weather and fire activity will shift where impacts from smoke are most significant.

Two Advisories remain in effect on Thursday and into Friday morning covering areas near the Gold Mountain and Elk Fires in southwest Colorado, and the Aspen Acres Fire in Pueblo County. 

Out west, smoke affects several communities. The heaviest impacts are in Ouray, San Juan, and Hinsdale Counties. In particular, smoke drains into valleys and low lying terrain during overnight hours spiking concentrations in Lake City, Ouray, Ridgeway, Colona, and Cimmaron. Notable impacts have also been seen in surrounding areas including Montrose, Telluride, Ouray, and others. These areas have shown more variability in the concentration and duration of smoke. Thunderstorms will again be possible on Thursday and can produce gusty and erratic winds that can cause smoke to move rapidly in unpredictable directions.

Near the Aspen Acres Fire in Pueblo County, significant amounts of smoke have been experienced in the communities of Beulah and Rye, along with areas on the south and west sides of this fire. Folks in southwestern Pueblo County should keep alert to conditions in their area and remain prepared to respond to smoky conditions to reduce potential health impacts.

Map showing active wildfire incidents in Colorado reported by InciWeb.

While the above mentioned incidents are those that are under Advisories, other fires in Colorado should not be ignored. The Willow Fire in Lake County, the Fishhook Fire in Routt County, and the Ferris Fire in Dolores County are still burning and have potential to create air quality concerns. We continue to watch all areas closely and will issue further alerts and communication if they become needed.

Throughout Colorado, we encourage everyone to stay alert, stay safe, and stay tuned for more updates.

Advisory on the Gold Mountain and Elk fires expanded for Wednesday

Smoke from the Gold Mountain and Elk wildfires in southwestern Colorado. Satellite image courtesy of slider.cira.colostate.edu

It was an active day for a few of the wildfires in southwestern Colorado on Tuesday. The Gold Mountain fire in Ouray County was impacted by heavy thunderstorms. The thunderstorms sent smoke in chaotic, unpredictable directions.  The towns of Ouray and Telluride both got hit by smoke plumes Tuesday afternoon and evening. Meanwhile the Elk fire largely avoided thunderstorms, but did made a significant "run" which increased its size. Smoke from the Elk fire directly impacted the Lake City area with very heavy smoke late Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Thunderstorms will once again be possible over both of these fires on Wednesday. Additionally, the prevailing transport winds on Wednesday will push smoke in a general north to south direction. With all of this information, the air quality health advisory has been expanded to includes areas to the south of the fires. This will include Hinsdale, San Juan, and eastern San Miguel counties. Heads up to rapidly changing air quality conditions on Wednesday in Telluride, Silverton, and Lake City. Please be prepared to protect your health from wildfire smoke.

In addition to these areas south of the fires, to the north we continue to see heavy smoke draining from the fires during the morning hours. Highway 550 from Ridgway northward to Montrose and even as far north as Delta will continue to receive this morning dose of smoke. If possible, hold off on spending time outside in these areas until the afternoon when the smoke has had time to clear.

Meanwhile, the Aspen Acres fire in Pueblo County has seen a slight decrease in fire activity. Air quality is not quite as bad Wednesday morning in the communities of Colorado City and Rye in southwestern Pueblo County. However, this fire continues to have the potential to intensify again. The air quality health advisory will remain in effect for southwestern Pueblo County for the time being.

Other fires we are watching include the Fishhook fire in Routt County to the southeast of Steamboat Springs, the Willow fire in Lake County near Leadville, and the Ferris fire in Dolores County. None of these fires at the moment are producing the type of heavy, long duration smoke that would trigger an advisory. However, any of these fires have the capability of producing brief periods of heavy smoke. Please remain alert to the potential for air quality to change quickly.

Smoke continues Tuesday

Smoke from the Gold Mountain Fire and Aspen Acres Fire will continue to impact Colorado today. Air Quality Health Advisories remain in effect near the Aspen Acres Fire and Gold Mountain Fire.

Aspen Acres Fire 

Beulah is finally getting a break. Smoke cleared out Monday evening, and folks woke up to Good air quality this morning. This isn't the end of smoke for Beulah- smoke is likely to pool in the valley again tonight. An Air Quality Health Advisory is still in effect for southwest Pueblo County. Rye, Colorado City, and Beulah will see moderate to heavy smoke throughout Tuesday through Wednesday morning.

Gold Mountain Fire

Smoke from the Gold Mountain Fire continues to pool along Highway 550. On Monday afternoon, thunderstorms cleared some of the smoke. However, moderate to heavy smoke is still possible today. Locations along Highway 550, as far north as Delta, are likely to see smoke today. Additionally, this fire is spreading northward, so locations along Highway 50 may also start to see smoke. We are monitoring this fire and will update the blog if the situation changes.

Fishhook Fire

We are also monitoring the Fishhook Fire in Routt County. Folks near the fire may notice haze and moderate smoke. We are tracking changes and will issue an Air Quality Health Advisory if the smoke worsens.

Willow Fire

Smoke from the Willow Fire continues for south-central Colorado. Twin Lakes saw heavy smoke this morning, but smoke is expected to clear this afternoon. Light to moderate smoke is possible in Leadville, Twin Lakes, and Buena Vista today.

Smoke persists in areas near wildfires

There are still several wildfires burning in Colorado as the hot and dry weather conditions continue for the start of the week. One of those fires is the Aspen Acres fire which is producing heavy smoke impacts in the southwestern part of Pueblo County. 

The Aspen Acres fire shaded in dark red with surrounding air quality monitors (circles) indicating moderate to heavy smoke. Map courtesy of fire.airnow.gov

A few communites are receiving moderate to very heavy smoke at times from the Aspen Acres fire. These include Beulah, Rye and Colorado City. Expect smoke to be at its worst during the morning hours in these areas.

The Gold Mountain fire is located in Ouray County east of Highway 550 between Ouray and Ridgway. This fire has gradually spread to the east over the past few days with heavy morning smoke impacts to the northwest of the fire. Expect moderate to heavy smoke between Ridgway and Montrose during the mornings, including the communities of Eldredge, Colona, and Vernal. The newer Elk fire just to the north of the Gold Mountain fire could contribute additional smoke to these same areas over the next 24 hours.

There are several other fires around the state, including the Willow fire near Leadville, Fishhook fire near Steamboat Springs, and the Ferris fire in Dolores County. Although there are no current advisories in the vicinity of these fires, conditions can change rapidly so please remain on the alert to the air quality in your area. Also be aware that record breaking heat is possible across Colorado early this week, so please take action to protect your health from extreme heat. This is especially true if you are also in an area where air quality is a concern.

Sunday smoke update

 The Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain Fires are still the focus for today's smoke.

Near the Aspen Acres Fire, an Air Quality Health Advisory is in effect for southwest Pueblo County. Today will be similar to yesterday. Air Quality is expected to remain Good in the City of Pueblo, but smoke will remain heavy for Beulah, Rye, and Colorado City.

The situation has changed slightly near the Gold Mountain Fire. The wind direction is expected to shift today, coming out of the south. Because of this wind shift, the advisory area has changed. Yesterday, heavy smoke was expected south of the fire, in San Juan and Hinsdale Counties. Today, the advisory only remains active in Montrose and Ouray Counties. Smoke will likely only impact areas close to the fire, and north of the fire.

Visit the AirNow Fire and Smoke map for real-time air quality data near you.

Smoke sticking around Saturday, but some see relief

 Air Quality Health Advisories are in effect until at least Sunday morning. But today, the heaviest smoke will be near the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain Fires.

Smoke from the Aspen Acres Fire will mostly affect southwestern Pueblo County. Rye, Colorado City, and Beulah will see moderate to heavy smoke today. Overnight Saturday, heavy smoke is possible in Beulah. However, the city of Pueblo is getting some relief. Haze is visible in Pueblo this morning, but smoke is expected to stay in the upper atmosphere. 

Smoke from the Gold Mountain Fire is pooled along the Highway 550 corridor. Folks Montrose, Ridgway, Ouray, and Silverton woke up to heavy smoke this morning. In Hinsdale County, Lake City also had heavy smoke this morning. In these areas, moderate to heavy smoke is possible on Saturday and will last until at least Sunday morning. 

We are monitoring the situation for any changes today. Stay tuned to the blog for an update Sunday morning.

Friday smoke outlook

Two Air Quality Health Advisories remain in effect today. The biggest change today is that we've removed Fremont County from the advisory area. Otherwise, the advisory remains in effect until at least Saturday morning. 

This week, Colorado has gotten some rain, which has helped keep the fires from spreading. This weekend, a ridge of high pressure is moving in, bringing warm and dry weather to the state. Stay tuned to the blog for smoke updates throughout the weekend.

If there is smoke in your area, reduce your exposure and limit your activity. Also over the weekend, heat is a major factor in the forecast. Check the CDC's Heat Risk Map for information on your county's heat risk.

Local smoke impacts continue on Thursday

Fortunately there are no Red Flag Warnings currently in effect across Colorado. Last week the wildfires exploded due to the hot, dry, and windy conditions which also transported smoke long distances across the state. The current situation is different: hot temperatures, less wind, and more afternoon thunderstorms. The heavy smoke focus has shifted to areas in close vicinity to the fires.

Starting with the Willow fire in Lake County near Leadville, the short-term news is encouraging. Afternoon thunderstorms with plenty of cloud cover has decreased fire activity and smoke production. Air quality is either good or moderate this morning in Leadville southward to the Twin Lakes area. The air quality advisory for Lake County will be allowed to expire at 9am Thursday. However, it should be noted that the fire is neither contained or out yet. This means that conditions could deteriorate again, particuarly for the upcoming weekend as the weather heats up and dries out again. Stay tuned if you reside or will be travelling to the Leadville/Twin Lakes area this weekend.

The Aspen Acres fire remains active near the Pueblo/Custer county line and has produced heavy smoke for nearby areas. The town of Beulah has been particularly hard hit, and there is anticipation that the southern end of the fire could become more active in the next few days. Residents in Rye and Colorado City should prepare for worsening air quality conditions. An air quality health advisory will remain active for this area through at least Friday morning.

Heading to the southwestern part of the state, the Gold Mountain fire and the Ferris fire are both producing local impacts. Some of the heaviest smoke around the state Thursday morning is in areas to the north of the Gold Mountain fire in northern Ouray County and spreading into eastern Montrose County. The town of Montrose has been blanketed with smoke recently. Fortunately some relief did arrive yesterday, but it appears that there will still be some lingering smoke around during the mornings as long as the Gold Mountain fire remains active. This will also be the case for communities along Highway 550 south of Montrose to Ridgway Reservoir, including Eldredge, Colona, and Vernal.

Moderate to heavy smoke can also be expected near the Ferris fire, though fortunately it appears most of the heavy morning smoke is draining straight into McPhee Reservoir which minimizes public health impacts. Keep in mind that downwind smoke impacts will be possible to the east and southeast of both the Gold Mountain and Ferris fires Thursday afternoon and evening, so remain alert to rapidly changing air quality conditions today in Telluride, Silverton, and Lake City. An air quality health advisory will remain in effect through at least Friday morning for all of these areas in southwestern Colorado.

Hazy skies to the southwest of Pueblo Memorial Airport due to smoke from the Aspen Acres fire. Image courtesy of FAA Weathercams

Wednesday weather: changes coming for Colorado

After days of stagnant, smoky, dry conditions, changes are coming. By Wednesday afternoon, thunderstorms will develop across Colorado. Rain will help limit fire growth, and wind may help clear smoke from the air. Also, a shift in the upper level winds will decrease the amount of smoke that is transported to areas further away from the fires.

Air Quality Health Advisories remain in effect until at least Thursday morning. However, smoke is not expected to travel as far on Wednesday, and fewer areas are included in today's advisories. Only the counties closest to the fires are included. Moderate to heavy smoke is still possible in advisory areas. If smoke is heavy in your area, it's good to limit your exposure and take precautions to protect your health.

Air quality advisories are in effect, but for a much smaller area than yesterday.

Smoke still on tap for Tuesday

 Another smoky day is on tap for much of the state, and an Air Quality Health Advisory is in effect for several counties. 

What's new today? 

Eagle County and Pitkin County are now included in the advisory area. Folks in Aspen, Woody Creek, Basalt, Eagle, and Vail woke up to hazy skies and smoke. 

Hazy skies at the Aspen/ Pitkin County Airport Tuesday morning. Image courtesy: FAA Weathercams.

What's staying the same today? 

The rest of the advisory area remains the same. Moderate to heavy smoke is still possible throughout the advisory area through at least Wednesday morning.

What's coming next? 

There is a chance of rain in Colorado's future. Thunderstorms are possible in western and central Colorado, starting Tuesday evening. Rain from these storms could slow fire growth, helping fire crews contain the blazes.

However, we aren't completely in the clear just yet. Lightning from these storms could spark new fires. CDPHE meteorologists are tracking these storms and watching for new fire starts. 

For today, smoke will linger across much of the state. Stay tuned for an update by Wednesday morning.

GOES-19 visible satellite image shows smoke lingering over much of Colorado. Image courtesy: RAMMB CIRA Slider.

If smoke is heavy in your area, take steps to reduce your exposure and protect your health. For real-time air quality data near you, visit AirNow's Fire and Smoke website. 

Fires and smoke continue this week with additional factors to consider

The wildfires burning in Colorado, Utah, and Arizona (among others) were again active over the weekend, and will remain a concern this week. Air Quality Health Advisories for Wildfire Smoke will continue. While smoke production, transport, and its impact on public health is our main focus, it is not the only factor that we will contend with this week.

Last week was filled with Red Flag warnings and persistent high winds that allowed fires to grow to the size we now see. This week will have different elements to consider. Over the next several days we will see an increase in moisture in our region, and also an increase in temperature.

Weather Story graphic from the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, CO indicating potential for influence from lightning, gusty winds, and high temperatures on Monday, July 6th, 2026.

More moisture in the atmosphere means that chances for storms will increase through midweek in many locations. This sounds encouraging, however this may not deliver the overall relief that we would like to see. On Monday storms are favored in southwestern and central Colorado, possibly having an influence on he Ferris Fire, or perhaps the Gold Mountain Fire. These will likely remain isolated and scattered, with limited chance for beneficial wetting rain. 

Tuesday and Wednesday see similar activity in the western half of the state, with better likelihood for more widespread and vigorous storms over the eastern Rockies and along the Front Range. This may influence the Aspen Acres Fire.

We sincerely hope that well-placed rainfall will help in fire suppression efforts and reduce fire intensity. However we must remain aware that thunderstorms also produce lightning and gusty winds- factors that hold concern for new starts, invigoration of fire activity, and unpredictable movement of smoke. Please keep this in mind; hope for rain but remain weary of potential negative outcomes.

Another compounding factor for both fire behavior and public health is the heat. A ridge of high pressure will be over the region, meaning that many locations will see high temps in the 90s for most of the week. Health impacts due to heat stress alone can be worrisome, and when combined with poor air quality, concerns are heightened. Please stay hydrated and cool to the best of your ability. Remain indoors and reduce exertion if possible, and be prepared to take action to counter negative health effects from these conditions, especially if you are predisposed to these impacts.

We will continue with updates and Advisories, aiming to help inform you of the most likely areas impacted by smoke, but we urge folks in all areas of Colorado to stay informed and stay safe from all potential health impacts.

Smoke impacts will continue on Sunday and Monday for many areas of Colorado

Wildfires in Colorado and neighboring states will continue to produce significant amounts of smoke, degrading air quality conditions in large areas of central, southern, and southwestern Colorado on Sunday. Weather conditions will remain hot and dry over most of the state, with scattered storms possible for a few areas. This means that fires will likely have another active day on Sunday, with smoke impacts continuing into the workweek.

In early frames of visible satellite imagery, smoke can be seen covering much of our state. Many mountain valleys saw increased impacts on Sunday morning due to smoke settling overnight. Areas further from the fires' locations have seen more widely varying concentrations as daytime mixing of the atmosphere and transport winds interact.

Satellite image of Colorado showing smoke from several wildfires blanketing large areas of central, southern, and southwestern Colorado. Image courtesy CIRA/CSU. 

The Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke has been extended through Monday morning. Clearly the areas in close proximity to fires will continue to see the heaviest smoke, yet we also want folks throughout the Advisory area to remain aware that impacts will remain possible at different times each day, with potential for rapidly changing conditions.

We encourage everyone to remain aware of particulate concentrations in your area, finding times to engage in daily activity during periods when smoke levels may be less harmful, but being ready to reduce activity, move indoors, and take actions to reduce exposure and health impacts when necessary.

A mixed bag for Colorado air quality for the 4th of July holiday

Wildfire smoke will remain a health concern, unfortunately, for many parts of Colorado during the 4th of July holiday. However, for some locations the air quality is improving. Let's break it down.

We will start with the areas of concern. The newest Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke stretches across southern parts of Colorado from the Four Corners region in southwest Colorado, eastward to the Pueblo area. This is due to continued smoke from the Babylon fire, the Ferris fire, the Gold Mountain fire, the Aspen Acres fire and the Willow fire. All of these fires are capable of producing massive amounts of smoke and could impact areas downwind (to the east of the fires). Outdoor plans for the 4th should take this into account in Montrose, Gunnison, Silverton, Lake City, Saguache, Alamosa, Salida, Pueblo, and surrounding areas. Also keep in mind that afternoon thunderstorms with gusty and erratic winds could push smoke in unpredictable directions Saturday afternoon and evening, particuarly near the Aspen Acres fire in Custer and Pueblo counties.

There is some good news to report. Areas further to the north which were blanketed with smoke during much of the workweek are seeing some relief. Expect an improvement in air quality today in Grand Junction, Aspen, and Colorado Springs. But please be mindful that the recent prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke can have lingering health impacts. 

Hazy skies Saturday morning looking west from Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, courtesy of FAA weathercams.

Another smoky day on Friday, but gradual changes heading into the holiday weekend

The National Weather Service has again issued Red Flag Warnings for all of the big fires in Colorado on Friday. This means that we are again expecting active fire conditions and very heavy smoke production. The Air Quality Health Advisory has been extended through at least 9am on Saturday. However, there have been some changes to the advisory footprint.  Northern counties (Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, and Jackson) have been removed as air quality has improved and any additional smoke later today should be rather light. So looking better to spend some time outdoors today in Steamboat Springs, Meeker, and up around Dinosaur National Monument.

Conversely, a few counties have been added to the advisory today. These include Crowley and Otero counties on the eastern plains of southeastern Colorado which could see some downwind impacts today from the Aspen Acres fire. So please be prepared for a possible rapid increase in smoke around Ordway and La Junta Friday afternoon and evening. And it is also likely to remain a smoky day in other parts of southern and western Colorado, including Montrose, Gunnison, Salida, and Pueblo. Please take care to protect your health and please check CDPHE's CDPHE Wildfire Smoke Preparedness Program webpage for tips on how to maintain the air quality in your house, even if you don't have central air conditioning.

The reason we made these slight changes to the advisory is that the transport winds over the fires are starting to shift from southwesterly, to a bit more westerly. This accounts for less smoke in northern Colorado today, and likely some gradual improvement for central parts of the state as well.  The Intersate 70 corridor between Grand Junction and Denver has been socked in by smoke for several days now, including this morning.  However with the wind shift at the fires, we are anticipating less smoke to hit these areas Friday afternoon and evening. So it appears there could be some light at the end of that smoky tunnel in places like Glenwood Springs, Edwards, Vail, Breckenridge, and Idaho Springs. However, please continue to take it slow today. Breathing heavy smoke for an extended period of time can have lingering health impacts. So even after the smoke clears out, you may want to wait 12-24 hours to return to heavy exertion activities/exercise. This is especially true if you have heart or lung disease, including asthma.

Smoke Impacts to continue on Thursday and Friday

Active fires in Colorado, Utah, and Arizona will continue to produce smoke that will impact air quality in the Centennial State on Thursday and Friday.

The Ferris Fire, Gold Mountain Fire, and the Willow Fire are the biggest factors in smoke production on the Western Slope of Colorado, and with the addition of smoke from fires in other states, significant degradation of air quality will continue in many areas.

The Aspen Acres Fire in Pueblo County also remains active and is contributing to poor air quality in areas along the Front Range and the neighboring plains. Air Quality Health Advisories for Wildfire Smoke remain in effect for much of the state. The northern Front Range remains under an Action Day for Multiple Pollutants due to concerns from ozone and particulate (smoke) pollution.

Map showing Air Quality Advisories (in gray) and Action Days (in purple) in effect throughout Colorado on Thursday and Friday. Map from colorado.gov/airquality

Hot and dry weather remains in the forecast over the next several days, so these alerts are likely to continue as we head into the weekend. Shifts in the weather pattern may alter the areas that are affected by smoke, so stay tuned to updates as weather, fire behavior, and smoke production and transport may change over the next few days.

Reducing heavy exertion, particularly when outdoors and for folks who have conditions that make them sensitive to air pollution, can help to reduce health impacts from exposure to poor air quality. 

Information on all air quality alerts and ways to protect your health can be found on the CPDHE website using the links on this page. Updates will continue to be provided here as well in our efforts to keep you informed.

Wednesday Smoke Outlook

Another smoky day is on the horizon for many Coloradans. Several wildfires continue to burn in Colorado and neighboring states, and smoke is expected to stick around through at least Thursday morning.

GOES-19 visible satellite image shows a large plume of smoke over Colorado. Smoke is expected to continue for many counties on Wednesday. Image courtesy of RAMMB CIRA Slider.

Not much has changed on the Western Slope since Tuesday morning. The Ferris Fire, Gold Mountain Fire, and Snyder Mesa Fire continue to burn, and moderate to heavy smoke is possible through at least Thursday morning. The Air Quality Health Advisory remains in effect until 9 am Thursday. 

In eastern Colorado, the Aspen Acres Fire just southwest of Pueblo is still producing heavy smoke. Particulate Matter concentrations are especially high in Pueblo, Canon City, Cripple Creek, and Woodland Park. Moderate to heavy smoke is possible through at least Thursday morning. 

 However, there are some changes to note. Smoke is not expected to reach as far north today, so the Air Quality Health Advisory has been updated to remove Washington, Lincoln, and Morgan Counties. 

In the Northern Front Range, an Action Day for Multiple Pollutants is in effect until at least 4 pm today. As of Wednesday morning, the heaviest smoke is in the foothills, particularly in Jefferson and Douglas Counties. This includes Evergreen, Aspen Park, and Roxborough Park. In the Front Range, Particulate Matter and Ozone could both reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category today.

Red Flag Warnings are in effect today for southeastern Utah and western Colorado. Dry, windy weather is on tap for Wednesday, so existing fires may grow, and new fires may spark. For real-time air quality information near you, visit the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.

We are monitoring the smoke and will provide updates as the situation develops. 

Smoky Tuesday in Colorado

Many Coloradans are waking up to hazy, smoky conditions. Multiple advisories are in effect. Large fires are burning in Colorado and neighboring states. Here, we'll break down the smoke situation, starting west and working our way east.

A smoky Tuesday in Colorado- AirNow's Fire and Smoke map shows moderate to heavy smoke across the state.

Several large fires are impacting air quality on the Western Slope. The Ferris Fire and Gold Mountain Fire are burning in western Colorado. The Babylon Fire is burning in Utah. Smoke from these fires has been lingering in the western half of the state since last week.

What's changing today? Counties in northwest Colorado are likely to see smoke this afternoon. The upper-level winds, known as transport winds, will shift, allowing smoke to push further north on Tuesday. We updated the Air Quality Health Advisory this morning to reflect this shift. It now includes counties in northwest Colorado.

Smoke has also pushed over the mountains and into the Northern Front Range Region. This area includes the Denver Metro, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Greeley. Moderate to heavy smoke is possible on Tuesday in this region. While this blog is focused on smoke, high Ozone is also possible in the Northern Front Range. Today is a good day to stay inside and take it easy. An Action Day for Multiple Pollutants is in effect until at least 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Finally, smoke from the Aspen Acres Fire is affecting air quality in parts of the eastern plains. This fire grew rapidly on Monday, and its plume of smoke stretched northeast, affecting parts of the east-central plains. Smoke in Pueblo was particularly heavy. The Sheep Head Fire sparked on Monday afternoon, adding to the smoke in this area. Folks in northeast Colorado and the east-central plains can expect moderate to heavy smoke to continue through at least Wednesday morning.

When will we have an update?

• The Air Quality Health Advisories are in effect until at least 9 am Wednesday. We are monitoring the situation and will update the advisory by Wednesday morning.
• In the Northern Front Range, the Action Day for Multiple Pollutants is in effect until at least 4 pm Tuesday. We will update or change this advisory on Tuesday afternoon.
• If any new fires spark, we will update the smoke blog or issue additional advisories if necessary.

What can you do if smoke is heavy in your area?

Visit AirNow's Fire and Smoke map for real-time air quality information near you

Limit outdoor activity

Stay indoors and create a clean air room, if possible

Fire-specific resources

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for much of western and southern Colorado on Tuesday. This means that existing fires may grow, and new fires could spark. This blog will focus on public health impacts from smoke. However, the following resources are available to stay informed as the situation evolves.

• InciWeb

• WatchDuty

• Wildfire Information Resource Center

Heavy smoke intrusion between Denver and Colorado Springs

A large plume of smoke has descended on parts of the Front Range region late Monday afternoon.  Be prepared for a sudden drop in visibility driving Interstate 25 between Denver and Colorado Springs. Air quality has also reached unhealthy levels in locations such as Castle Rock and Larkspur. Residents along this busy stretch of the Interstate 25 corridor should monitor smoke levels in your area as the smoke plume could move in unpredictable directions and air quality could rapidly deteriorate.

A heavy smoke plume between Denver and Colorado Springs (slider.cira.colostate.edu)

CDOT web camera just north of Castle Rock (cotrip.org)

Heavy smoke from Aspen Acres Fire

As of Monday afternoon, the Aspen Acres Fire is producing a plume of heavy smoke. This smoke is pushing northeast and extends as far as Kit Carson County. However, the heaviest smoke is in Pueblo, where particulate matter concentrations are pushing into the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category.

An Air Quality Health Advisory is in effect until 9 am Tuesday morning. Moderate to heavy smoke is possible anywhere downwind of this fire. If there is smoke in your area, it's a good idea to limit outdoor activities and stay indoors, if possible.

For real-time air quality near you, check AirNow's Fire and Smoke Map.

The smoke plume from the Aspen Acres Fire stretches to Kit Carson County. 

Beyond Smoke

The Division of Fire Prevention and Control maintains the Wildfire Information Resource Center with more resources to help you stay safe this wildfire season. This includes the Wildland Fire Status Dashboard and Emergency Alert systems for each county.

Occasional smoke impacts set to continue on Monday

Looking across Colorado this morning on EPA's Fire and Smoke Map, there are large differences in air quality from place to place.

Air quality conditions vary widely across Colorado Monday morning (fire.airnow.gov)

Moderate to heavy smoke impacts are currently being felt in communities such as Edwards, Aspen, Edwards, and Silverthorne.  The heaviest smoke is being reported in the valleys of Grand County, where Highway 40 is a smoky drive from Winter Park northward through Fraser and Granby to the shores of Grand Lake.

In contrast, smoke has cleared out for the moment in Grand Junction, Montrose, Gunnison, Buena Vista, and also for much of the Denver metro area. The advice for these areas is to open up your windows and let the clean air in while you have it. Because things could go downhill again later today.

Early morning satellite imagery reveals three very large fires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah.

GOES-19 Band 7 satellite imagery shows "hot spots" at large wildfires in the Four Corners region (slider.cira.colostate.edu)

These fires will likely intensify again Monday afternoon and evening. Smoke impacts are obviously expected in areas very close to the fires, but smoke will be transported downwind to the northeast and east-northeast. So although the air quality might be fine now in your neighborhood, be prepared for sudden changes Monday afternoon and evening. Air quality advisories and alerts reflect the large area that could be impacted by smoke today. For those that have been tracking our advisories over the weekend, note that some areas to the north (Rio Blanco, Moffat, Routt and Jackson counties) have been removed from the advisory as fire activity upwind from those areas has decreased somewhat. But do realize that the advisory footprint could expand again later today depending on fire activity and other factors that are unknown at this point.

Large plumes of smoke moving northeastward across Colorado

Particle pollution is currently spiking in places like Grand Junction, Paonia, Aspen and Eagle as massive plumes of wildfire smoke push rapidly northeastward across Colorado. Advisories and alerts remain in effect statewide.

GOES-19 satellite imagery reveals large smoke plumes being transported from wildfires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah (slider.cira.colostate.edu)

The Denver metro area could very well be next as smoke may arrive by the early evening hours. Now is the time to consider finishing up outdoor activities and heading inside with the windows shut. Keep in mind that ozone levels are also quite high across the northern Front Range region which could amplify the health impacts, especially those that suffer from heart and/or lung disease, older adults, and children.

Please do keep in mind that we may repeat this entire cycle again on Monday, so remain alert to rapidly changing air quality conditions in your area.  There are several things you can do to protect your health against smoke.  Please visit the CDPHE Wildfire Smoke Preparedness Program webpage which includes a section with guidance on maintaining cleaner indoor air during smoke events, with practical tips for homes and other buildings (including those without air conditioning or mechanical HVAC systems).

Heavy smoke again in the forecast Sunday

FAA WeatherCam at Copper Mountain shows a layer of heavy smoke looking northward towards Silverthorne in Summit County

Another day of active wildfire conditions will likely produce enormous amounts of smoke and pose a public health risk for large parts of Colorado. Although there are many wildfires across the region, the main culprits for the smoke in Colorado are the Ferris in southwestern Colorado near the Dolores/Montezuma county line, the Snyder along the Colorado/Utah state line in western Mesa County, and the Babylon in southeastern Utah. All three of these wildfires are located in areas where Red Flag Warnings are in effect on Sunday. This means that hot, dry and windy weather will likely increase fire activity and smoke production, especially Sunday afternoon and evening.

Heavy smoke can found in many areas Sunday morning which is lingering from yesterday's smoke intrusion. The mountains and valleys of central Colorado are seeing the worst of the air quality Sunday morning, including in and around Aspen, Edwards, Silverthorne, Kremmling and Granby, along with locations on the Peak to Peak Highway from Blackhawk northward to Estes Park. Air quality conditions in these areas should gradually improve this morning as the atmosphere begins to heat up, but be prepared for the possibility for another round of smoke later today.

Areas near the fires, but also well downwind of the fires, will be impacted by smoke on Sunday. The winds over the fires will once again transport the smoke from southwest to northeast at high speeds and over long distances. The Air Quality Health Advisories that were issued yesterday have been expanded slightly to include a few additional counties to the east and south. Communities stretching from Telluride northward to Grand Junction and Steamboat Springs, and eastward from the central mountains to the western foothills of the northern Front Range should be prepared for periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Monday morning.

There are several ways that you can protect your health from wildfire smoke. We will continue to provide updates here on the blog as conditions evolve.

EPA's Fire and Smoke Map shows heavy smoke Sunday morning across parts of central and western Colorado