High Park Fire Grows to 14,000 Acres, Officials Issue Health Advisory for Fort Collins and Beyond

The High Park Fire is burning 15 miles west of Fort Collins estimated to be at 14,000 acres and growing with 0% containment. Officials have issued a health advisory for Fort Collins and the Front Range due to the heavy smoke.

WILDFIRE HEALTH ADVISORY

Due to continuing wind and weather changes impacting the High Park wildfire near Rist Canyon, the air quality in Larimer County could cause breathing difficulties, especially for people susceptible to respiratory conditions.

In general, if you can see or smell smoke, it is recommended that you avoid outdoor physical activities. If visibility is decreased in your neighborhood to less than five miles, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

Children, Elderly, and People with Respiratory Conditions
If you can see or smell smoke, children, elderly, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions should stay inside with the windows and doors closed. 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 are still 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.