The National Weather Service reported an air quality alert at 9:11 a.m. on Saturday in effect until Sunday at 9 a.m. for Gilpin, Grand, Clear Creek, Jackson and Summit counties.
The NWS adds to expect, “Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke.”
“Smoke transported from out-of-state wildfires will produce areas of moderate to heavy smoke across the advisory area on Saturday and Sunday,” describes the NWS.
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 it’s within your means, stay indoors, especially if you have respiratory issues, health concerns, or fall within the senior or child demographics.
Trim outdoor activities to essentials:
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:
Be mindful of activities that increase pollution, like driving cars, operating gas-powered lawnmowers, or using motorized vehicles. Limit their usage 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 well-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.
Focus on respiratory health:
If you grapple with respiratory issues or underlying health problems, exercise added caution. These conditions can render you more susceptible to the adverse effects of compromised 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