An updated air quality alert was reported by the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 9:10 a.m. in effect until Thursday at 9 a.m. for the Western Slope.
The NWS informs, “Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke.”
“Moderate to heavy smoke from the Ferris Fire and Gold Mountain Fire is possible throughout the advisory area until at least Thursday morning,” explains the NWS.
The full list of affected locations includes:
• Montrose County
• San Miguel County
• Dolores County
• Hinsdale County
• San Juan County
• Ouray County
• Delta County
Guidance for air quality alerts: Insights from the NWS
When an air quality alert is in effect, following the NWS guidance is pivotal. Here are some simple tips from the NWS for safeguarding your well-being:
Seek shelter indoors when possible:
If possible, remain indoors, especially if you have respiratory issues, other health concerns, or fall within the senior or child demographics.
Trim outdoor activities:
When venturing outside becomes unavoidable, limit your outdoor exposure strictly to essential tasks. Reducing your time outdoors is the name of the game.
Reduce pollution contributors:
Exercise prudence when it comes to activities that exacerbate pollution, such as driving cars, wielding gas-powered lawnmowers, or utilizing other motorized vehicles. Minimize their use during air quality alerts.
No open burning:
Avoid burning debris or any other materials during air quality alerts. This contributes to worsened air quality.
Stay informed:
Keep yourself informed by tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio or your preferred weather news station. Staying in the know ensures that you can make informed decisions about outdoor activities during air quality alerts.
Prioritize respiratory health:
If you have respiratory problems or underlying health conditions, exercise extra caution. These conditions can increase your vulnerability to adverse effects from poor air quality.
Following the recommendations from the NWS helps bolster your safety during air quality alerts, minimizing your exposure to potentially harmful pollutants. Stay vigilant, stay protected, and make your health the top priority.
Source: The National Weather Service