Full Notification

The following message is transmitted at the request of the New Mexico Departments of Health and Environment. The Ute Park Wildfire continues to produce a large smoke plume, seen on satellite to extend from west central Colfax County to southwestern Union County. As the atmosphere becomes more stable this evening and overnight, smoke will become more concentrated in the lower layers of the atmosphere. Low level east to southeast winds will spread the smoke to the west and north tonight. Areas of dense smoke will be possible tonight into Sunday morning from the Raton Ridge and Northeast Highlands westward to the Taos Valley and along the western slopes of the Sangre de Cristos. Poor visibility due to smoke will impact portions of U.S. Highway 64 and State Routes 21, 38, 58 and 522. Remember, your eyes are your best tools to determine if it is safe to be outside. If visibility is: Under 5 miles, the air quality is unhealthy for young children, adults over age 65, pregnant women, and people with heart and/or lung disease, asthma or other respiratory illness. Outdoor activity should be minimized. Around 3 miles, young children, adults over age 65, pregnant women, and people with heart and/or lung disease, asthma or other respiratory illness should avoid all outdoor activities. Around 1 mile, the air quality is unhealthy for everyone. People should remain indoors and avoid all outdoor activities including running errands. Unless an evacuation has been issued, stay inside your home, indoor workplace, or in a safe shelter.

* AFFECTED AREAS: EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ... FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS ... NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTOS ABOVE 9500 FEET, RED RIVER ... RATON RIDGE, JOHNSON MESA ... SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTOS ABOVE 9500 FEET ... UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY ... WEST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS