Colorado is waking up to hazy skies this weekend as wildfire smoke from the Pacific Northwest settles across much of the state. A cold front that pushed through late this week brought the smoke with it, and many communities—especially in the mountains—are experiencing degraded air quality.
Where the Smoke is Heaviest
The thickest haze has been concentrated in northwestern Colorado, where a rise in particulate matter levels appeared on Friday afternoon. Counties west of the Continental Divide are now feeling the impact, with Moffat, Routt, Jackson, and Grand Counties among the hardest hit.
Farther south, smoke has also made its way into Eagle, Summit, Gilpin, and Clear Creek Counties, though concentrations there have been somewhat lighter. Still, residents across north-central Colorado are noticing smoky skies, particularly during the morning hours when conditions tend to be worst.
Health Advisory in Effect
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory through Sunday morning for much of northwestern and north-central Colorado. The advisory has been updated to include: Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Clear Creek, Gilpin, and Summit.
The advisory warns that moderate to heavy smoke is possible throughout the weekend, which could affect people with heart or lung conditions, older adults, children, and those spending long periods outdoors. Health officials recommend staying indoors if the air looks or smells smoky, avoiding strenuous outdoor activity, and using air filters if available.
Relief on the Horizon
The good news: relief is on the way. Today, upper-level winds are flowing from the northwest—directly from the smoke source. But by Sunday, winds are expected to shift to a westerly direction, bringing cleaner air into Colorado.
That change should allow particulate matter concentrations to drop throughout the day on Sunday, gradually improving air quality and visibility across the mountains and plains.
A Smoky Reminder
This week’s hazy skies serve as a reminder of how interconnected wildfire activity is across the western U.S. Even fires burning hundreds of miles away can affect Colorado’s air quality when weather patterns line up.
For now, Coloradans in the advisory areas should continue to take precautions until cleaner air moves in Sunday.