Officials Issue Fort Collins-Area Air-Quality Warning Over Hewlett Fire

The east side side of Fort Collins, Wellington, Ault, and all the other towns near the Hewlett Fire are well aware there is something burning just by breathing. Take a good whiff, and it smells as though there is a ham in the oven, or take a good look, and you can tell the air quality is poor. That is why Larimer County environmental health officials are warning area residents to be cautious about exercising in the smoke blanketing the area from the Hewlett Fire.

Smoke is already hanging over large portions of the city, which is about 20 miles southeast from the fire burning in the Poudre Canyon near the Hewlett Gulch trailhead. The nearly 1,000-acre wildfire has moved in several different directions in response to mountain winds. Officials say things are actually worse further east, due to the way the winds are carrying the smoke.

In an advisory, county officials said it’s hard to accurately predict air conditions in specific areas because the winds and weather are changing so much. County officials recommended that people avoid outdoor exercise if you can see or smell smoke. Of particular concern are children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions.

County health officials say:

• If it is hot outside, run an air conditioner if you have one, but keep the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside. If you do not have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed, seek shelter elsewhere.

• Children are more likely to be affected by health threats from smoke because their airways still are developing and because they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults. Children also are more likely to be active outdoors.

• Older adults are more likely to be affected by smoke, as they have higher levels of heart or lung diseases than younger people.

• Follow your doctor’s advice about medicines and about your respiratory management plan if you have asthma or another lung disease. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.

• When smoke levels are high, even healthy people may experience coughing, a scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, shortness of breath, chest pain, headaches, stinging eyes and a runny nose. If you can see or smell smoke, you should limit outdoor physical activities and stay indoors if at all possible.

Air quality updates are available at www.colorado.gov/airquality/advisory.aspx. For more general information on air quality monitoring and the use of alerts, see www.airnow.gov.