Hazy Skies Prompt Health Advisory Along Front Range

DENVER (CBS4)- A health advisory is in place for much of the Front Range through Saturday morning because of the hazy skies. The haze is caused by all the wildfires burning in the West in states like California, Idaho and Washington.

Health officials say people with respiratory issues should stay inside on days where the skies are hazy and visibility is below five miles. They say that is a good indicator the air quality is not good.

"When the air quality is so bad it's just visually bad, you know there is a problem," said Dr. David Beuther with National Jewish Health. "Visible particles, it's pollution, it's dust, in this case it's wildfire smoke."

Beuther says the elderly, the very young and anyone with respiratory issues should remain inside and continue taking their medication.

"It's really the fine particles that get into your lungs and your upper airway and they cause a physical irritation and that's what causes itchiness or soreness or a drippy nose... that sort of thing," said Beuther.

So far there hasn't been a lot of people in the Denver metro area rushing to the doctor's office.

"I think we'll start to see people this weekend and into the next week that have had some worsening symptoms that haven't responded to the things people can do at home and need some extra help," said Beuther.

One thing Beuther recommends is staying away from a lot of strenuous activity, "This is probably not the day to do your long run, your really extreme exercise. I might try and schedule that after Sunday when things improve a bit."

That's an option that is not available for the riders of the USA Pro Challenge.

"That is a concern for athletes that it can impair their performance temporarily but it's not likely to cause any long-term problem," said Beuther.

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Living With Wildfire section.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.