Wednesday Fire And Air Update

5/25/22 Wednesday 8 am
The latest figure for the fire is 103 acres. That is the figure that is being used by the team. Oftentimes, size is estimated which is why it varies.  103 acres is now the official number.
Here is the fire perimeter.
The eastern perimeter is approximately 1 mile west southwest of Rockridge. The western perimeter is approximately 1 1/4 miles east northeast of Lightner Creek at 207 and 1 1/4 miles northeast of Twin Buttes.
Locally, an air quality alert has been issued.
Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke

Issued for La Plata County
Issued at 7:00 AM MDT, Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Affected Area: La Plata County. Locations include, but are not limited to, Durango.

Advisory in Effect: 7:00 AM MDT, Wednesday, May 25, 2022 to 9:00 AM MDT, Thursday, May 26, 2022.

Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

Outlook: Moderate to heavy smoke from the Perins Peak wildfire can be expected in Durango early Wednesday morning. Air quality will gradually improve by late Wednesday morning as atmospheric mixing increases and smoke lifts into the atmosphere. By Wednesday afternoon, some smoke impacts will be possible downwind of the fire in central and southern La Plata County, possibly impacting Oxford and parts of the Southern Ute Reservation. However, any smoke impacts in that area should be fairly brief. By late Wednesday evening, smoke will begin to drain to lower elevations bringing heavy smoke again to Durango through early Thursday morning.

Earlier today, the smoke was mainly affecting the western portions of Durango in town. A monitor on w 3rd was showing readings between 100 and 185. More than likely a quick change in the wind direction has improved the quality for now (7:45 am).

Winds will be mixed through the morning, these drainage winds vary based on location. This afternoon, winds will be out of the north northwest between 10 to 15 miles per hour, with gusts to 20 mph. It could be a lot worse.
I don’t have a lot of additional details at the moment. I will update as more details become available. This afternoon, I will follow up on any fire updates as well as an updated weekend forecast.
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2 thoughts on “Wednesday Fire And Air Update

    1. Drainage winds are down-sloping winds that transport cooler air from the higher elevations to the lower elevations. That is why their directions are mixed based on a particular location. In the absence of any storms, they usually occur here in the morning.

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