Denver Weather: Air quality warning due to smoky, hazy skies along the Front Range

An ozone action day has been announced as smoke from Canada is causing air quality problems (KDVR)

DENVER (KDVR) – The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued an Ozone Action Day warning for Monday due to smoke.

The Ozone Action Day Warning is in effect until at least 4 p.m. Monday for residents of the Front Range urban corridor from Douglas County north to Larimer and Weld counties. This area includes the Denver-Boulder, Fort Collins and Greeley areas.

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, moderate ozone levels can result in air quality that is harmful to sensitive groups.

“Although showers and thunderstorms will limit ozone production on Sunday, higher ozone concentrations are expected on Monday. Ozone concentrations in the ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’ category will be possible throughout the northern Front Range region, including Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins and surrounding areas,” CDPHE said.

Skies will remain hazy on Monday as smoke from wildfires drifts in from Canada.

CDPHE’s Division of Air Pollution Control said smoke will be visible early in the day in the mountains of north central California, including Rocky Mountain National Park, and will then increase in lower elevations during the late morning and afternoon hours.

How to stay safe during an air quality warning

The National Weather Service offers the following safety tips Monday while the Action Alert is in effect.

• Stay indoors if possible, especially if you have breathing difficulties or other health problems
• If you must leave the house, limit the time you spend outside to absolutely essential activities.
• Minimize the use of items that increase pollution, such as cars, gasoline-powered lawn mowers and other vehicles
• Do not burn garbage or other objects during an air quality alert.

The Pinpoint Weather team is expecting a drier trend for the coming week, with only a few storms clearing the air. Be sure to monitor further air quality alerts from the CDPHE.