Health department warns of dangerous haze

The Colorado health department is warning of dangerous haze from wildfires in southern Colorado and Arizona.

The department says the fires are creating a dangerous haze over Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Walsenburg, Trinidad, Alamosa, Westcliffe, Cañon City and surrounding areas.

The health department says people with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, young children and the elderly should limit prolonged exertion.

The department says some people should consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making them ill.

Smoke from the Arizona wildfire has spread as far away as 1,000 miles from the blaze.

Kyle Fredin, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Denver, said Monday that a ridge of high pressure was carrying the smoke as far away as central Iowa. He said the smoke was also hitting eastern Colorado — where it obscured the view of the mountains from downtown Denver — as well as New Mexico, Nebraska and Kansas.

Fredin said the smoke won’t be as noticeable in the Midwest, where humidity already makes conditions hazy, but it would likely cause striking orange-pink sunrises and sunsets, as it has in Denver.

The high pressure system is also bringing hot, dry weather along with the smoke. Cooler temperatures are expected by Wednesday, bringing cleaner air with it.