An air quality advisory warning for large areas of Western and central Colorado, including La Plata, Dolores and Montezuma counties, was issues by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment this week.
The warning went into effect Wednesday morning and is expected to last until at least Friday morning. It comes as wildfires to the west and northwest of Colorado burn and smoke plumes from Utah and Idaho move west to east.
Some parts of the San Juan Mountain range are experiencing heavy smoke, especially in higher elevation areas west of Telluride and southwest of Silverton, according to CDPHE’s smoke blog.
La Plata County’s air quality measured 83 the U.S. Air Quality Index as of Thursday afternoon, a minor increase from 76 measured Wednesday afternoon. It is classified as a “moderate” health hazard by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency AirNow data.
Individuals with certain health issues or pollution sensitives may want to stay indoors.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
