Smoke from wildfires is moving into the Denver area and will hang over Colorado’s skies for the next few days

Wildfire smoke from the Pacific Northwest and Canada is moving across Colorado, degrading air quality and visibility in Denver. Because of this, today is a First Alert Weather Day. An unhealthy air quality warning is in effect across the Front Range and most of Northern Colorado through Tuesday afternoon. The combination of wildfire smoke and high-altitude ozone is creating the worst air pollution in the Front Range that we’ve seen this summer.

In downtown Denver at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, hazy skies made it look as if a dirty cloud had descended on the city.

The smoke also affected the moonset early Monday morning in the Denver metropolitan area. From the CBS Colorado news helicopter, the waning moon appeared pink.

It also affected the sunrise on the Front Range in Colorado. The sun appeared orange-red.

Light smoke is expected for most of the day on Monday. More moderate smoke is expected on Tuesday and early Wednesday. This will reduce both visibility and air quality.

From Thursday and Friday onwards, there will be an improvement as the sky gradually returns to blue.

Light smoke combined with harmful ozone concentrations leads to unhealthy air quality and poor visibility for sensitive groups of people. It is recommended to drive less if possible.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Air Quality Division posted a message Monday saying that higher elevations in Colorado are experiencing higher smoke concentrations. It advised residents to “visit our Wildfire Smoke and Health webpage for information on the best ways to prepare yourself and your loved ones for deteriorating air quality caused by wildfire smoke. Additionally, you can monitor air quality in your area with the EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map.”