Heavy smoke in southeastern Larimer County

 Unhealthy air quality can be found across the southeastern corner of Larimer County Tuesday morning due to smoke from the Alexander Mountain wildfire.  EPA's Fire and Smoke Map reveals that the city of Loveland is really getting hit hard with smoke this morning.  

Monitoring data in Loveland shows short-term levels of Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy air quality

We urge residents of Loveland and others in southeastern Larimer County to please take extra steps to protect your health this morning.  Please keep your windows closed and limit your time outdoors this morning, especially if you suffer from heart or lung disease, or are an older adult.  Keeping children inside this morning is also probably a wise idea.  If you still have some N-95 masks, they can be effective against wildfire smoke.  If you start to have health symptoms that lead you to believe that your indoor air quality has also become unhealthy, consider relocating to an area with better air quality if you have the ability to do so.  Of course, please see your health provider if your health symptoms continue to worsen.  You can find all this information along with additional resources at our wildfire smoke and health webpage.

The view from Northern Colorado Regional Airport looking west towards Loveland and the Alexander Mountain wildfire shows the extent of the smoke.  We issued a health advisory for southeastern Larimer County yesterday afternoon which expires at 9am this morning.  However we will be extending that advisory through at least 9am Wednesday with little sign that the fire will be easing up anytime soon.  

Webcam image from Northern Colorado Regional Airport courtesy of the Federal Aviation Administration

Although the advisory will run from 9am today to 9am tomorrow, that does not necessarily mean that the smoke is going to be heavy in southeastern Larimer County all day long.  As the atmosphere heats up, much of the smoke will lift up into the atmosphere which will improve air quality at the earth's surface.  Although the air will not be pristine this afternoon (ozone will likely be elevated), it will certainly be better than what it is this morning.  So if you do need to spend some time outdoors today, this afternoon and evening will be the better option for your health.  Residents in the area should remain updated on the latest information regarding the Alexander Mountain wildfire, including evacuation areas and shelters, at Inciweb's Alexander Mountain Fire webpage.