Wild fire smoke

Question

Is the Boulder area getting any smoke from the large fires in western CO? Apparently one is historically big.

Coming into town Thursday for local hiking and RMNP. Hoping visibility and air are still good.

Thanks

Answer

Good question. Short answer: yes, there’s some risk of smoke in Boulder (and nearby RMNP) from western-Colorado fires, but the outlook depends a lot on wind, fire behavior, and local air-quality conditions. Here’s a breakdown of what the current situation suggests, what to watch for, and how to plan.

What the Current Smoke / Air-Quality Situation Looks Like

The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) notes that while there are wildfires in western Colorado, *most smoke is staying aloft*, though some mixing down to the surface is possible. Their latest Front-Range air quality forecast suggests good to moderate levels for particulate matter.
Boulder’s own air-quality site recommends using AirNow.gov for real-time AQI readings and notes that “fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅)” from wildfire smoke is the main concern.
There *have* been major fires in western Colorado this year: e.g., the Lee Fire, which burned ~137,000+ acres near Meeker. While that is quite a distance, smoke transport over the mountains is possible under certain wind patterns.
Boulder County’s wildfire-health guidance (from their health department) advises caution when smoke is visible or dense: limit outdoor exposure, consider using N95 masks, and create a “clean room” inside by closing windows / using recirculated A/C.
Reddit / community reports suggest people in Boulder do occasionally notice smoke or haze from distant western fires: > “Smoke is definitely here … Current fires right now feeding the plume … Grease/Lee Fire, near Meeker …”
At the same time, the CDPHE’s smoke outlook does not currently issue a major health advisory for the Front Range, which means widespread, very unhealthy smoke is *not guaranteed*.

What This Means for Your Trip (Thursday + Hiking + RMNP)

There’s a reasonable chance of some haze or diminished visibility, depending on how smoke is mixing down, but it’s *not a sure thing* that you’ll have very poor air or heavy smoke.
If smoke *is present*, air quality may be moderate, meaning it’s okay for healthy visitors, but those with respiratory issues, asthma, or heart conditions should be more cautious. Boulder’s public-health guidance explicitly recommends limiting time outdoors when particulate levels rise.
Visibility for hiking might be somewhat reduced (hazy skies), especially for mountain or long-distance views, but you may still get decent views depending on how the layer of smoke behaves.
The *morning hours* might be better: often smoke layers are lower in the morning, then mix out or disperse. Also, planning hikes early gives you more flexibility if air quality worsens later.

Precautions & Planning Tips

Check the AQI daily: Use AirNow.gov, or Boulder’s local air-quality site, to monitor PM₂.₅ levels before heading out.
Bring an N95 mask: Good idea to have one in case smoke is noticeable — especially if you’re hiking or exerting yourself.
Create a “clean-air space” where you’re staying: close windows, run the A/C on recirculation, and if possible use a filter (MERV-13 or better) or an air purifier.
Have a backup plan: If smoke looks bad in the morning, be ready to adjust your hikes (choose lower elevation or shorter trails, or delay until conditions improve).

Bottom Line: Yes, there *is some potential* for smoke in Boulder in mid-week because of western Colorado fires, but current forecasts don’t promise heavy, unhealthy smoke across the Front Range. With real-time AQI monitoring and some basic precautions, your hiking and RMNP plans should still be quite viable — just stay flexible and be ready to adapt if visibility or air quality changes.

Wild fire smoke

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