If you would like to request a Spanish interpretation, please email cdphe_apcd_outreach@state.co.us
Si desea solicitar interpretación al español, envíe un mensaje por correo electrónico a cdphe_apcd_outreach@state.co.us
Accessibility statement and support

Friday, August 15, 2025

Significant improvement in air quality for many areas

 Widespread cloud cover, higher relative humidity, and even a few showers and thunderstorms resulted in a decrease in fire activity yesterday on the Western Slope.  The result is lower smoke levels for most of Colorado Friday morning.  More good news -- moisture continues to surge into western Colorado.  This should moderate fire activity again for today and limit smoke production.

Friday morning satellite image of moisture surging into the Four Corners area. Image courtesy of Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University


With less fire activity expected today, smoke impacts should be more localized.  We have decreased the size of both air quality health advisories in western Colorado.  Heavier smoke impacts should remain in close vicinity to the Lee fire, Crosho fire, and Stoner Mesa fire.  For the Lee and Crosho fires, expect heavier smoke to remain in rural areas of Rio Blanco county close to the fires, along with southern Routt County in the Phippsburg area.  This smoke will likely be heaviest during the early morning hours, so outdoor plans may be more appropriate during the afternoons.  It is a similar story on the Stoner Mesa fire where unhealthier smoke levels will mainly be confined to eastern Dolores and northern Montezuma Counties, including the communities of Rico and Dolores.

Looking ahead, the weather will likely gradually dry out again over the course of the weekend, so if you are in an area with improved air quality today you may want to take advantage of it.


No comments:

Post a Comment