Thousands in Colorado advised to stay indoors

Thousands of residents across southeastern Colorado are being urged to stay indoors as lingering wildfire smoke prompts an overnight air quality health advisory.

Why It Matters

Wildfire smoke has become a recurring public health concern as changing climate conditions drive more frequent and intense fire seasons.

What To Know

State health officials issued an air quality health advisory Friday afternoon as wildfire smoke spread across wide areas of southeastern Colorado.

The alert, released by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, is in effect from 4 p.m. Friday through 9 a.m. Saturday.

Counties included in the advisory are Kit Carson, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Crowley, Otero, Bent, Prowers, and Pueblo. Affected communities include Burlington, Cheyenne Wells, Eads, Ordway, La Junta, Las Animas, Lamar, and Pueblo.

Smoke is expected to linger into early Saturday morning.

The heaviest concentrations are forecast along the lower Arkansas River Valley, with Las Animas and Lamar likely to see the most severe conditions.

Officials warn that smoke levels may vary overnight, potentially reducing visibility and increasing health risks.

Residents are advised to closely monitor local conditions, particularly if visibility drops below five miles, a threshold that signals unhealthy air quality.

Air pollution can pose serious health risks even when it is not immediately visible or easily smelled.

Pollutants enter the body through breathing and can affect people differently depending on the type of pollution, the duration of exposure, and individual health factors.

Short-term exposure has been linked to symptoms such as coughing, eye irritation, wheezing, nausea, and difficulty breathing.

Longer-term exposure is associated with more severe outcomes, including lung disease, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

Health officials also warn that prolonged exposure can increase the risk of premature death. Some groups face higher risks than others.

Children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with existing heart or lung conditions are considered especially vulnerable to the health effects of poor air quality.

What People Are Saying

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said: “If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors.

“This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present.

“Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.”