Smoke may be around this weekend, but limited amounts are expected near the surface, 8/9/24

There is a bit of  'a tale of two levels (of the atmosphere)' to be told for the upcoming weekend. Fires in California and the Pacific Northwest continue to be active and produce plenty of smoke, which is likely to be transported eastward. However, much of that smoke is expected to remain aloft, in upper portions of the atmosphere, and is also expected to mostly stay to the northern areas of the western U.S., resulting in minimal surface impacts in Colorado. the images below, from the HRRR-Smoke model show the large plumes of smoke coming from the states to our west and northwest, and also show the great differences in the amounts of smoke that are expected to be found throughout the atmosphere (top) vs amounts expected near the surface (bottom).

HRRR-Smoke vertically integrated smoke at 00Z, Sunday, August 10, 2024 (6pm MDT, Saturday).

HRRR-Smoke near-surface smoke at 00Z, Sunday, August 10, 2024 (6pm MDT, Saturday).

The Big Gulch fire in Moffat County and the Bucktail fire in Montrose County continue to only report limited containment and increases in size. However, only limited and transient heat signatures have been seen on satellite (and these may have come from burning operations conducted by fire crews in efforts to strengthen fire lines) and PM2.5 monitors in these areas continue to show only light to moderate concentrations of smoke. Due to these observations, no advisories are currently in effect for these fires.

In all, only light to moderate amounts of smoke are expected for the weekend, however with ever-evolving situations such as those involving wildfires, conditions may change quickly. Pockets of smoke may be present in areas in the immediate vicinity of wildfires in Colorado, and we recommend undertaking health precautions if smoke is present in your location.