Smoke Outlook for 8/16 - 8/17 West Central Grizzly Creek Fire Issued at: 2020-08-16 09:19 MDT

WildFires The Grizzly Creek fire is now 19,129 acres and continuing to show extreme fire behavior. The Williams Fork fire is burning to the east and is 4,300 acres. To the west is the Pine Gulch fire, which is 76,183 acres. The corridor along is showing extremely dry conditions, and all three fires are contributing to the accumulated smoke in the area.

Smoke Smoke in the atmosphere sinks with cooler temperatures, thus pooling in lower canyons and drainages at night. As the day heats, the smoke will rise and becomes more influenced by the daytime winds. This creates various smoke impacts at different times. For Glenwood Springs, expect smoke in the overnight hours and then again as it starts to rise around 10 am-11 am. The smoke will push out across the canyon mid-day and linger for several hours. For communities east of the Grizzly Creek fire expect smoke to move back in later this evening and tonight. Towns near Vail will see impacts from the Williams Fork fire, as smoke drifts into the area this afternoon and evening. Aspen can expect moderate conditions as a northerly wind pushes smoke that way. Overnight impacts will be worse.

Health and Safety Daily AQI Forecast* for Aug 16, 2020 An Air Quality Health Advisory for wildfire smoke has been issued for many of the counties in the area. See the link towards the bottom of the page for more information. When in smoky areas, limit outdoor exposure, drink plenty of fluids, and maintain a healthy diet. Stay indoors if possible when conditions are at their worse. Some areas may look clear, but smoke impacts can still be present. Small smoke particles that cause our body damage are not always seen. A general rule of thumb is if you can smell smoke, you are breathing smoke.

Yesterday Sat Forecast* Sun Mon Station hourly 8/15 Comment for Today -- Sun, Aug 16 8/16 8/17

Glenwood Expect conditions to get worse mid-morning to early evening. An air quality Springs monitor for PM 2.5 has been set up in town, and the link is below. Early mornings should be the worse times. Expect more smoke to move into Aspen the area as winds shift the next couple of days. Daytime conditions should be good-moderate. Afternoon to evening will see Eagle more smoke move into the area. Smoke will move into the area and surrounding towns later this afternoon and Vail evening.

Issued 2020-08-16 09:19 MDT by William Basye; [email protected]

Air Quality Index (AQI) Actions to Protect Yourself Good None Moderate Unusually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion. USG People within Sensitive Groups* should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Unhealthy People within Sensitive Groups* should avoid all physical outdoor activity. Very Unhealthy Everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Hazardous Everyone should avoid any outdoor activity.

*Disclaimer: This forecast is based on fine particulates only; ozone is not included. Forecasts may be wrong; use at own risk. Use caution as conditions can change quickly. See your health professional as needed. Smoke sensitive groups should take appropriate precautions.

Additional Links Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment -- Fire Information -- https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6942/ https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx Air Quality Monitor information -- https://tools.airfire.org/monitoring/v4/#!/? category=PM2.5_nowcast¢erlat=39.4786¢erlon=-107.2049&zoom=8 Pine Gulch Wildfire smoke outlook -- https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/WesternColorado Facebook link to the Grizzly Creek wildfire -- https://www.facebook.com/GrizzlyCreekFireCO/ --

Issued by USFS Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program -- www.wildlandfiresmoke.net West Central Colorado Updates -- tools.airfire.org/outlooks/WestCentralColorado *Smoke and Health Info -- www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=smoke.index