Advisory expires but air quality concerns continue

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DENVER - While the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment says a previously-issued smoke health advisory has expired, widespread haze will continue Wednesday.
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Smoke drifting in from 20 different wildfires to the west, including the large blaze very close to Los Angeles, has caused the haze to settle over much of the state.

The CDPHE issued the orginial smoke health advisory for northwest and north-central Colorado for people with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young and the elderly.

The 9NEWS Weather Team says the haziness will steadily improve through Friday.

On Wednesday, fine particulate levels were listed as likely in the moderate to high moderate range across portions of northwest, north-central and east-central Colorado due to the smoke. The CDPHE says much of the rest of Colorado will see concentrations in the moderate range with smoke expected to gradually diminish later Wednesday evening in most areas.

The CDPHE says if visibility in your neighborhood is less than 5 miles, then the smoke has reached levels that are not healthy and you should stay indoors.

Many people are concerned about what the haze could be doing to their lungs and doctors say it really depends on what respiratory problems you might have.

"I thought maybe I decided [that] I started smoking in my sleep or something, I wasn't quite sure why my lungs are so sore," Niki Breigenzer, a runner, said. "I'm almost to five miles, which usually isn't this hard for me as it is today."

Doctors at National Jewish Health say the haze looks much worse than it actually is.

"Right now I don't think the levels are severe enough that it's a major problem, but of course if you are someone that is experiencing symptoms of coughing or breathlessness or irritation of your throat, you know that would be a signal to kind of lay low and take it easy," Dr. David Buether with National Jewish Health said.

National Jewish Health says anytime you're having worsening respiratory symptoms, it's a good idea to touch base with your doctor.

But doctors believe the haze in the air right now will not cause any long term damage.

For the latest Colorado air quality information and smoke outlook you can visit http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/addendum.aspx and http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/air_quality.aspx.