Smokey says, “Fire Danger is _________ Today.”
Most of us are familiar with the Smokey Bear sign in front of the Pagosa Ranger District office that alerts us to the current fire conditions in the San Juan National Forest, but did you know that Smokey now also has air quality flags to alert us to current air pollution conditions?
While Pagosa Springs regularly enjoys very clean mountain air, our summer season occasionally brings with it smoke from seasonal forest fires.
Sometimes the smoke comes locally from fires within the San Juan National Forest, but often it blows in from points west of Colorado and even from as far away as Canada.
When our air quality is less than perfect, it affects the quality outdoor activities. As you drive past the Pagosa ranger station office on U.S. 160 at the east end of Pagosa, look for a solid-colored triangular flag hanging just below the American flag on the flag pole.
The color of the flag indicates the quality of the air as follows:
• Green means good, and it’s a great day to be outside.
• Yellow means moderate, and it’s a good day to be outside, but take it easier if you’re sensitive to air pollution.
• Orange means unhealthy for sensitive groups, and older adults, children and people with certain health conditions should take it easier.
• Red means unhealthy, and everyone should take it easier.
• Purple means very unhealthy, and sensitive groups should avoid outdoor exertion, while everyone else should avoid long or intense outdoor exertion.
So, next time you see Smokey, look up at the flagpole to check the current quality of the air you’re breathing as you’re recreating in the San Juan National Forest and Pagosa region.
For more information, visit www.airnow.gov/flag.
