The combination of scorching temperatures, light winds and clear skies could trigger increased ground-level ozone over the next 24 hours, prompting authorities to issue for metro Denver and the Front Range.
The ozone alert went into effect at 4 p.m. Monday for communities from El Paso County north to Larimer and Weld counties, encompassing the Denver-Boulder region, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and Greeley. It will remain in effect until at least 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Ground-level ozone can be particularly harmful to young or elderly individuals and can lead to symptoms from pre-existing health conditions, notably respiratory issues such as asthma. But healthy people also can experience eye irritation, difficulty breathing and other respiratory problems, particularly as a result of outdoor work or exercise.
Ozone concentrations are expected to be moderate to unhealthy for those sensitive groups on both Monday and Tuesday, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Regional Air Quality Council.
On Monday, the unhealthy concentrations were forecast to be most likely for Denver’s western suburbs, prompting recommendations of reduced outdoor exposure or exertion until around 8 p.m. On Tuesday, the worst concentration is anticipated from Denver’s southwest suburbs north along the foothills to near Fort Collins. At-risk groups should reduce their exposure from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
An air quality health advisory also remains in effect until 9 a.m. Tuesday for from the Hayden Pass wildfire in Fremont County, including Canon City, Cotopaxi, Coaldale, Texas Creek and Howard. Visibility of less than 5 miles due to smoke means that the air has reached unhealthy levels.
Updated information can be found on the 24-hour Air Quality Hotline at 303-758-4848.
