The air quality monitor on the Rio Blanco County building in Meeker peaked in the dark red zone at 304 for fine particulate matter pollution at 5 a.m. Tuesday morning, reaching an emergency-level health warning where everyone is more likely to be affected.

An Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke was issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment again Tuesday to continue at least through 9 a.m. Wednesday, as the Lee and Elk fires in Rio Blanco County grew to a combined 20,775 acres as of Tuesday morning. 

The state advisory covered Routt, Grand, Rio Blanco, Eagle, Garfield and Jackson counties.

Downwind from the two large wildfires burning near Meeker, the fine particulate air quality monitors in Routt County from Elkhead Reservoir to downtown Steamboat Springs to Pearl Lake continued to cycle into the warning orange and unhealthy red zones Tuesday afternoon.

At Thunderhead Lodge above Steamboat Resort, at 3 p.m. on Tuesday the air quality was in the red zone at 163. It had peaked at 168 at 4:10 p.m. on Monday.

On Tuesday afternoon, the air quality in Kremmling was 120. It was hovering around 80 in Granby, and expected to rise into the evening.

According to a state air quality advisory: “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 your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.”

Routt County Environmental Health Director Scott Cowman advised that even short-term exposure to smoke can cause eye and throat irritation, coughing and shortness of breath.

“Long-term or repeated exposure may worsen existing health conditions,” Cowman noted. “When air quality is poor or if smoke is visible or smells strong, we recommend limiting prolonged outdoor activity, especially strenuous exercise.”

If individuals choose to be active outside, a properly fitted N95 mask can help filter PM 2.5 pollution, Cowman said, noting “cloth and surgical masks do not provide adequate protection.”

Particulate matter of less than 2.5 microns, or PM2.5, refers to tiny airborne particles that are 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter. These particles are so small they are invisible to the naked eye and can pose significant health risks due to their ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. 

PurpleAir.com is a user-friendly website to check current air quality conditions where viewers can search by zip code. The orange warning range at PurpleAir.com indicates 101-150 in fine particulate matter 2.5 pollution on the Air Quality Index scale where air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Red levels of 151-200 on the air quality scale indicate that some members of the general public may experience health effects with 24 hours of exposure, and members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effect.

In an Air Quality Watch issued by Pioneers Medical Center in Meeker, officials advised that “individuals with heart or lung conditions or those sensitive to smoke inhalation should take extra precautions to avoid irritation or exacerbation.” The medical center also canceled all surgeries scheduled for Tuesday and had additional staff on hand to help patients and residents.

The medical center’s additional advice included: Stay indoors and close windows and doors. Use an air filter if available. Set the air conditioning in a vehicle to recirculate when driving. People who are particularly sensitive to smoke inhalation made need to prepare to leave the area.

The medical center listed activities not to do when wildfire smoke is heavy, such as do not fry or broil foods, which can add particles to indoor air. Do not use a gas stove, and do not smoke indoors.

• For Colorado statewide air quality conditions, forecasts and advisories, see Colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx.
• For the latest Smoke Blog, visit Colosmokeoutlook.blogspot.com.
• A Fire and Smoke Map, including basic outlines of wildfires burning both west-southwest and east-southeast of Meeker, is available at Fire.Airnow.gov.
• Current information on Rio Blanco County wildfires can be found at: Facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice.
• UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center also provides health information about coping with wildfire smoke online UChealth.org/today/how-to-stay-safe-when-wildfires-impact-air-quality.