Santa Fe Trail Ranch Wildfire Smoke Today - July 22, 2024
![Image](/images/Blog/smokeHaze.jpg)
SFTR
Smokey Haze
What Is That Haze?
What Is That Haze Covering Our View?
If you are like me you enjoy our beautiful sunsets. Today, however, when you go out to watch the sunset you will see a blueish haze over the mountains. Yes, it is smoke and we have the fires in Canada to thank for it.
So I was trying to find out where all this smoke comes from and why today. In the process of my search I found a wonderful website that the State of Colorado hosts called "Colorado Smoke Blog". Click the link and it will take you to that website.
The following paragraph(s) is from that site for today:
MONDAY, JULY 22, 2024
Advisories for wildfire smoke have been issued
Wildfire smoke continues to increase across much of Colorado Monday afternoon. Although we are seeing light to moderate levels of smoke most everywhere across the state, some heavier smoke can be found in a few areas. The northern Front Range region (Denver, Boulder, Ft. Collins, Greeley, etc.) is one of those areas that are feeling the impacts of wildfire smoke combining with the normal, day-to-day pollution along the Interstate 25 corridor. In fact, both ozone and particle pollution are high in this area. You can find more information at the Front Range/Denver advisory page.
Meanwhile, we have seen a rapid increase in wildfire smoke across north-central and northwestern parts of Colorado. An advisory for wildfire smoke has been issued for Moffat, Routt, Jackson and Grand Counties, which includes places like Steamboat Springs and Craig. Advisory details can be found at the Colorado advisory page.
We may see some gradual improvement across the northwestern corner of the state on Tuesday, but that will likely not be the case east of the divide. In fact, even heavier smoke may impact the northern Front Range region on Tuesday along with a wide expanse of the eastern plains. Please continue to follow this blog as updates will be provided throughout this smoke episode.
In the meantime we continue to urge Coloradans to be vigiliant in protecting their health, especially those of you that may suffer from heart or lung ailments. You can get information regarding your protecting your health at the Wildfire smoke and your health webpage and check the air quality for your local area at the EPA's Fire and Smoke map.
SUNDAY, JULY 21, 2024
Increasing smoke statewide expected for the start of the week
Unfortunately it is becoming increasingly likely that large parts of Colorado will see a noticeable increase in ground-level smoke concentrations over the next 24-36 hours. To start, surface smoke levels across the northern plains states will be pushed into northeastern Colorado along with locations further southward along the Kansas stateline during the afternoon hours on Sunday. The good news in these areas that we are also anticipating showers and thunderstorms Sunday afternoon, so smoke will be disbursed and have difficulty getting established due to the unsettled weather.
By Monday, a large increase in smoke aloft high up in the atmosphere is expected across large parts of the state. This smoke could be noticeable early in the day across the north-central mountains of Colorado, including Rocky Mountain National Park, with the smoke increasing across lower elevation locations during the late morning and afternoon hours. The heaviest smoke on Monday is expected across the eastern half of the state and could reach advisory levels, so making preparations now for degraded air quality is a good idea. This is especially true for those that suffer from heart or lung ailments. First and foremost, if you would like to spend some time outdoors, Sunday is without a doubt your best option for the next several days. Additionally, checking out Wildfire smoke and health page is a good way to start planning for how to best protect your health as air quality starts to go downhill.