Smoke from the Spruce Creek wildfire affecting areas in southwest Colorado, 5/23/24

 Smoke from the Spruce Creek wildfire will again affect areas in southwest Colorado on Thursday and Friday. The image shows smoke early Thursday morning affecting areas near the fire. As winds shift throughout the day, and smoke is transported by upper level winds, additional impacts are possible in downwind areas on Thursday afternoon.

The Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke  has been continued for this area. Areas of heavy smoke are present in many areas on Thursday morning, especially along State Highway 145 south of Rico to Dolores. This smoke is expected to lift throughout the day on Thursday as daytime atmospheric mixing deepens and winds increase. Winds out of the west or southwest will transport smoke to areas to the east or northeast of the fire on Thursday afternoon, possibly creating impacts in those areas, including Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, Lake City, and Creede. The greatest impacts from smoke are expected overnight Thursday night and early Friday morning as smoke settles throughout the advisory area, especially in lower terrain and sheltered mountain valleys.

Additional information about this fire can be found on InciWeb. 

A satellite image from May 23 shows smoke near the Spruce Creek Fire. Image courtesy of RAMMB CIRA.

Spruce Creek Fire

 The Spruce Creek Fire continues! Crews are managing the perimeter of this fire to contain it to an area that is 4,500 acres in total. Latest measurements estimate the fire at just over 1,800 acres, and crews expect the fire to grow around 1,500 to 2,000 acres a day. More information on the firefighting strategy can be found on InciWeb. 

Winds out of the southwest are expected on Wednesday, meaning smoke will be transported towards communities northeast of the fire. This includes Rico, Telluride, Lake City, and other communities along R-145. 

Overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning, smoke will settle in low-lying areas such as valleys and creeks. Heavy smoke is possible overnight in Dolores, as well as drainages along Lost Canyon Creek, and the Haycamp Mesa Foothills.

When smoke is present, it is best to stay indoors and avoid exercise. Looking for more information on how to protect your health? Visit CDPHE's website.

The Spruce Creek Fire is burning in a forest of mostly Ponderosa Pine, Gambel Oak, and Aspen Trees. Image Courtesy of US Forest Service.

Prescribed Burning near Gross Reservoir

The US Forest Service conducted a 70 acre prescribed burn on Sunday in the vicinity of Gross Reservoir in Boulder County.  Although no additional ignitions are expected for the next several days, lingering smoke will be likely in the area.  

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Additional information about the Forsythe II prescribed burn can be found here on InciWeb.

 Map of the Forsythe II Prescribed Burn area. Image courtesy of US Forest Service.

Spruce Creek Fire

The Spruce Creek wildfire is located in Montezuma County approximately 11 miles northeast of Dolores within the San Juan National Forest. This is a low to moderate intensity wildfire which is being closely monitored by the US Forest Service and is not anticipated to produce any significant public health issues to local areas.  However, smoke will likely be visible along Colorado Highway 184 between Mancos and Dolores with some light to moderate smoke possible at times around the area, mainly during the early morning hours.  For more information on this fire, please visit InciWeb.

Satellite imagery from May 20 shows a hot spot, indicating the location of this fire in Montezuma County.

Canadian Wildfires

Heavy smoke is impacting the upper midwest Monday morning with highly elevated levels of fine particulates (PM2.5), particularly in Minnesota and Wisconsin.  This smoke is originating from wildfires in Alberta of western Canada.  Fortunately for Colorado residents, the bulk of the smoke should remain far to north and northeast for the time being with only some light smoke possible in far eastern parts of Colorado near the Nebraska and Kansas state lines. No public health impacts are anticipated.

The EPA's Fire and Smoke Map shows higher concentrations of PM2.5 across the upper Midwest on May 13, 2024. No public health impacts are anticipated in Colorado.