At 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 1, the Chaffee County Public Health Department and the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Smoke over Salida on Oct. 1 evening (Photo by Taylor Sumners)
Environment issued an Air Quality Helth ADvisory for Wildfire Smoke.
The affected area consists of southeastern Chaffee and northwestern Fremont Counties, including, but not limited to the communities of Poncha Springs, Smelterville, Salida, Cleora, and Wellsville.
What does this advisory mean for citizens? A recent press release from Chaffee County Public Health Department and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment stated, “Air quality is currently unhealthy on the south end of Chaffee County. 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 the elderly.
The Dept. of Public Health say to 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 [due to] smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.”
The press release continued, stating the anticipated outlook, “Prolonged periods of moderate to heavy smoke are expected Tuesday into Wednesday morning from the Decker wildfire, located in far northeast Saguache County approximately 8 miles south of Poncha Springs.”
The press release added, “Smoke impacts are expected to continue through at least Wednesday morning. Smoke will generally move to the northeast of the fire towards the Chaffee/Fremont county line, and could bring periods of heavy smoke to Poncha Springs, Smeltertown, Salida, Cleora and Wellsville.”
Lastly, the press release stated, “Currently, health impacts from this fire are expected to remain localized in areas near the fire, however in areas where moderate concentrations of smoke are experienced, unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.”
“I have been in close communications with Gayle Hagler, the Decker Fire Air Resource Advisor currently on-scene locally. The forecast indicates that winds may shift to the east on Wednesday but then shift more toward Salida on Thursday,” said Chaffee County Public Health Director Andrea Carlstrom.
To be on the safe side, Chaffee County Public Health strongly recommends that outdoor activities are postponed or brought indoors until the conditions improve to avoid the symptoms from poor air quality.
For the latest reports, the community is encouraged to check out regular forecasts and updates at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6592/ and the fire event Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DeckerFire2019/.”
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