Poor air quality caused by Alexander Mountain Fire smoke expected Wednesday

Sady Swanson, Fort Collins Coloradoan
Updated ·2 min read

You can probably tell by stepping outside or opening your window, but smoke from the Alexander Mountain Fire will continue to cause poor air quality throughout Larimer County on Wednesday.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued an air quality health advisory for Fort Collins, Loveland and the surrounding areas as the wildfire continues to burn west of Loveland.

The Alexander Mountain Fire started Monday and grew to more than 5,000 acres Tuesday. Smoke from that fire and another — the Stone Canyon Fire in Lyons — along with smoke from out-of-state fires are contributing to Larimer County's continued poor air quality.

If you can see or smell smoke, the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment recommends you avoid time outdoors and reduce physical activity, both inside and outside.

"We are advising schools, childcare centers, and youth camps in the impacted areas to suspend outside physical activities, including outdoor sport camps, until conditions improve," Larimer County Public Health Director Tom Gonzales said in a news release.

Sensitive individuals, including those with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory conditions, should stay indoors as much as possible, even if smoke or its odor is not as noticeable, according to the county health department. Indoor sports and physical activities can continue in places with air conditioning that doesn't pull air from outside, as long as the doors and windows stay closed.

Live updates from fire: Alexander Mountain Fire exceeds 5,000 acres, with hot day ahead

Tips to protect yourself and your family when air quality is poor

  • Monitor air quality: If you see or smell smoke or if the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 150, limit your outdoor activities, especially pregnant people, children, elderly, and for anyone with heart or lung conditions. You can check the current and forecasted air quality for your location at airnow.gov.

  • Keep indoor air clean: Close windows and doors and use air conditioners that recirculate indoor air and avoid using air conditioning units that draw in air from outside. Check and replace filters regularly, and consider using indoor air filtration devices with HEPA filters. If it's too hot inside, consider going to an air-conditioned public place like a library or shopping center for temporary relief.

  • Watch for possible symptoms: These include severe coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, or unusual fatigue. If you're experiencing any of these, contact your doctor immediately or visit an urgent care center.

Tips courtesy of the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Poor air quality from Alexander Mountain Fire smoke expected Wednesday