We love us some crisp Colorado air, especially in the summertime. But in the last few days, our Denver skies have been unusually heavy and hazy. Here's why.
It's crazy that smoke from a wildfire in Utah can affect Denver skies some 500 miles away, but that's exactly what's happening, courtesy of the devastating fire in Brian Head, Utah. Burning since June 17, the fire has consumed almost 50,000 acres and is only 10 percent contained, as of Wednesday, June 28. More than 1,600 people are actively involved in fighting the fire. [caption id="attachment_18412" align="aligncenter" width="721"]
Image courtesy of KDVR[/caption]
Strong winds have propelled the smoke eastward over the Rocky Mountains. For the Denver metro area, this means hazy skies, which can sometimes make it difficult to even see the mountains' silhouette from eastern suburbs like Aurora and Parker.
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But how long is the haze supposed to last? With no expected changes to the weather in the approaching forecast, we can probably assume the haze will stick around for a bit. Those with asthma and other air quality sensitivities are encouraged to stay indoors as much as possible.
More than 1,500 Utah residents have been evacuated from their homes so far. Of course, we in Colorado have experienced our fair share of wildfire disasters and know firsthand how devastating and scary they can be. Our thoughts and prayers are with the fire's victims and firefighters themselves as they deal with the blaze and its aftermath. The haze in the Denver skies is just a minor speed-bump in the grand scheme of things.
What do you think about the hazy skies? Do you have any tips for asthma sufferers? Tell us in the comments!
