EL PASO COUNTY – At noon on Tuesday in Colorado Springs the air was so hazy it seemed like dusk. There was so much smoke in the air it was filtering the sun.
It is an unusual sight, signaling a health risk. “We know that it’s been registered and it’s been recorded as a higher compromised air quality,” said El Paso County Public Health, Environmental Health Program Manager, Marla Luckey.
It prompted a warning to the public about unhealthy air quality. Of most concern are people considered high risk. That is babies, elderly, people with lung or heart conditions. “If you’re among those populations or noticing that you’re wheezing or coughing because of the outdoor air quality then we would encourage you to consider reducing your activity outdoors,” said Luckey.
With wildfires still burning in many western states, there could be more unhealthy air quality in days ahead. Public health monitors it daily and will put out warnings when needed.
