Colorado wildfires: Doctor gives health tips for how to avoid problems from smoke

DENVER (KDVR) — Three large wildfires were burning in parts of the northern Front Range on Wednesday, leading to poor air quality and hazardous conditions for some.

Air quality as of Wednesday afternoon was at a “moderate” or “good” level in most of the Denver metro and Front Range area, according to the U.S. air quality Index .

However, areas directly in the path of the smoke from the three fires did have considerably worse air quality. This ranged from “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” in parts of Littleton to “hazardous” in some areas near Loveland.

FOX31 spoke to Dr. Eric Hill, an emergency room physician at the Medical Center of Aurora, about what people should do to reduce their risk while the smoke is in the air.

“I think everyone should be a little more cognizant about the time they spend outdoors and breathing in this air,” he said. “Particularly those with underlying respiratory illnesses.”

This includes people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary illness disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis and heart conditions, Hill said.

The best way to avoid any issues from the smoke is to limit the time spent outdoors, Hill said.

Things like N95 masks can filter out some of the particulates, but the best thing to do is to spend more time indoors with the windows closed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.