An updated air quality alert was reported by the National Weather Service on Thursday at 12:11 p.m. in effect until Friday at 9 a.m. for Central Colorado.

The NWS informs, “Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke.”

“Smoke from several fires burning in Utah and Nevada is being transported into Colorado and is expected to impact air quality through at least Thursday morning. Smoke levels could increase or decrease rapidly at times during the advisory period due to the very unstable atmospheric conditions,” states the NWS.

The full list of affected locations includes:

• Rio Grande County

• Saguache County

• Conejos County

• Huerfano County

• Costilla County

• Fremont County

• Las Animas County

• Alamosa County

• Chaffee County

• Custer County

• Lake County

• Teller County

Air quality alerts: Recommendations 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:

Whenever possible, seek refuge indoors, especially if you grapple with respiratory concerns, health issues, or belong to the senior or child demographic

Minimize outdoor exposure:

When venturing outside is unavoidable, restrict your time outdoors solely to essential activities. Reducing exposure is paramount.

Scale back pollution-inducing practices:

Be conscious of activities that contribute to pollution, such as driving cars, using gas-powered lawnmowers, or relying on motorized vehicles. Curtail 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 well-informed by tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio or your preferred weather news outlet. Staying in the loop empowers you to make informed decisions regarding outdoor engagements during air quality alerts.

Respiratory health matters:

If you have respiratory issues or health problems, exercise extra caution. These conditions can make you more vulnerable to the adverse effects of poor air quality.

By adhering to the advice from the NWS, you can enhance your safety during air quality alerts while reducing your exposure to potentially harmful pollutants. Stay aware, stay protected, and make your health a top priority.

Source: The National Weather Service