High Park Fire Moves into Lory State Park

The High Park Fire continues to grow and move closer to Fort Collins. Firefighters are working hard to defend the homes from fire. Battalion Chief, Mike Gavin, says that there is little chance that the fire could move into Fort Collins. But the fire has been throwing debris about a half mile away from the flames and there is potential that one of the open spaces or natural areas could ignite. Also, it has now been up to 100 structures that have been lost to the fire in the areas surrounding Rist Canyon, Stove Prairie, Paradise Park and Poudre Canyon. Crews are fighting mainly the south side but are keeping an eye on the north and west as it is surrounded by pine beetle damage.

Fort Collins residents looking for tips on what they can do to help their respiratory systems, given the High Park Fire, can follow a few handy tips:

•    Close open windows and doors to keep smoke out.

•    Respiratory-sensitive citizens, consider purchasing a HEPA air filter for your air conditioning unit or in portable room-size units.

•    Active children and adults and those with lung disease (such as asthma) should reduce prolonged or heavy indoor or outdoor exertion when particulate levels are elevated.