The Western Slope Air Watch has ended for the winter 2012-2013 season. Advisories will resume on November 1st, 2013.

Air Quality Advisory (Updated 3:00 p.m. February 28, 2013)

A BLUE air quality advisory is in effect from 3:00 p.m. Feb 25, 2013 through 3:00 p.m. Feb 28, 2013 for the western Colorado valleys including the communities of Grand Junction, Delta and Montrose.

No WOOD BURNING RESTRICTIONS ARE BEING ADVISED FOR THE CURRENT FORECAST PERIOD.  

Advisory forecasts will be issued twice weekly and updated when necessary due to prevailing meteorological conditions for Mesa, Delta, and Montrose counties.  Follow the BLUE (Ok To Burn) or RED(Do Not Burn) advisories if you heat your home with wood fuel.  Coal, pellet and gas heaters are exempt as well as EPA certified low-emitting wood stoves.  Compliance with RED advisories is mandatory within the city limits of Grand Junction and Fruita and voluntary elsewhere in Mesa County.  Compliance is voluntary in Delta and Montrose Counties.

Air Quality Index (AQI)  

For current air quality values, use this link to view the CDPHE Air Quality Today webpage.

Reminders

Over the winter months, open burning is restricted in the Grand Valley. Our Spring Open Burning Season begins on March 1. Please go to our Open Burning webpage for more information on open burning.

Next Update

This is the last update for the winter 2012-2013 season. Advisories will resume November 1st 2013.

Additional Information
Weather conditions for the Grand Valley can be found on the National Weather Service site. Click on "Fire Weather" and go to "Smoke Management Forecast" for guidance on smoke dispersion. GJT-NWS  

A listing of current statewide Fire Restriction information can be found on the Colorado Division of Emergency Management site. Colorado DEM Firebans

Statewide air quality and wildfire smoke information can be found on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment site. Colorado AirQuality Info

Modern wood stoves provide considerable advantages over conventional stoves. Some of the benefits include getting more heat output while burning less wood, and dramatically lowering the risk of chimney fires. When using wood to heat your home, always remember to promote good combustion by having bright, quick burning fires using well seasoned wood to minimize emissions. Mesa County and the Housing Resources of Western Colorado are providing woodstove exchange grants to qualitying homeowners in Mesa County. More information is available on our website.