Smoke blankets Colorado; Aspen closures

Colorado was under widespread smoke impacts on Tuesday as state air-quality officials warned that out-of-state wildfire smoke was affecting communities across the state, and Aspen-area officials prepared for helicopter operations that were set to close trails and roads on Wednesday. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said it issues advisories when conditions show elevated air pollution levels are possible and directs residents to statewide monitoring and forecast tools. Gov. Jared Polis and CDPHE said smoke conditions can change quickly with fire activity, wind and weather. In Aspen, a separate operational issue added to the disruption, with helicopter work scheduled at Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands on Aug. 5. ### Where was the smoke over Colorado coming from? The Denver Post reported Tuesday that smoke from fires in Washington and Montana had blanketed parts of Colorado and triggered an air quality warning for every county. The paper also reported that smoke from Utah and Nevada was affecting western Colorado while Pacific Northwest smoke drifted into the northeastern part of the state. CDPHE said Colorado residents should use the state’s air-quality advisories, Colorado.gov air-quality resources, the Colorado Smoke Blog and AirNow tools to track conditions as they shift. The agency said its Air Pollution Control Division monitors, forecasts and analyzes air-quality data across the state. ### Who was told to take extra precautions? Gov. Jared Polis said in a state health update that Colorado’s air quality was being affected by wildfire smoke and urged residents, especially people with respiratory conditions, children and older adults, to limit strenuous or extensive outdoor activity. (cdphe.colorado.gov) Jill Hunsaker Ryan, CDPHE’s executive director, said forecasters were closely monitoring smoke conditions and air-quality data to provide timely information. (cdphe.colorado.gov) CDPHE said wildfire smoke contains fine particles that can irritate the lungs and heart, and warned that people do not always need to see or smell smoke for it to affect their health. The agency said children, older adults, pregnant and postpartum people, outdoor workers, people with asthma or other heart or lung conditions, and people exercising outdoors may face greater health risks. (cdphe.colorado.gov) ### What were officials telling people to do? CDPHE said residents should check current air quality, limit time outdoors when smoke is present and avoid strenuous outdoor activity including running and biking. The agency also advised people to keep windows and doors closed when smoke is present, use air conditioning on recirculate if available and use a HEPA air cleaner if they have one. (cdphe.colorado.gov) The state’s air-quality guidance says advisories and alerts are issued when conditions indicate elevated air pollution, and Action Day alerts generally mean air quality is in categories considered unhealthy or unhealthy for sensitive groups under the Air Quality Index. ### What was happening in Aspen on Wednesday? The Aspen Times reported that helicopter operations were scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 5, at both Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands, causing trail and road closures during the work. (cdphe.colorado.gov) The newspaper listed the item among its Aug. 4 local reports. Aspen Snowmass says summer access information, mountain announcements and trail-status pages are the main public sources for current operating changes across its mountains. (cdphe.colorado.gov) Its transportation page says Aspen Highlands is closed to summer operations but still serves as a hiking access point, while Aspen Mountain maintains summer trail information online. ### What should hikers and riders watch next? Wednesday, Aug. 5, was the key date for both the Aspen helicopter operations and continuing smoke impacts, with local access dependent on active closures and statewide conditions dependent on shifting winds. (aspentimes.com) CDPHE said residents should keep checking current advisories and Air Quality Index updates, while Aspen-area visitors were being directed to Aspen Snowmass mountain announcements and trail-status pages for same-day changes. (cdphe.colorado.gov) (aspensnowmass.com)