Health concerns to keep in mind with ongoing poor air quality across Southern Colorado

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- You've probably noticed the hazy skies over the past couple of days along the front range. This is due to wildfire smoke, however, the smoke isn't from a Colorado fire. Actually, the smoke is coming from multiple fires burning in Canada.

According to officials, the hazy smoke is expected to linger around Southern Colorado through Wednesday or Thursday of this week, and it can negatively affect your health.

The smoke and haze will move into eastern Colorado Monday afternoon and Tuesday. Which means continued low air quality and dense smoke. 

As of 9 a.m. Monday in Colorado Springs, the air quality is listed as moderate with a score of 74, which is in yellow. The yellow level is an indicator for those in certain at-risk groups to take precautions. When the air quality index reaches the orange level, doctors say it's unhealthy for everyone.

"This air quality and these tiny particles are causing a lot of increased inflammation in those lungs and making it more difficult to breathe," UCHealth Urgent Care Medical Director Dr. Ian Tullberg said. "They could set off a regular asthma attack, or in terms of COPD, give you a COPD exacerbation as well."

Doctors say sinus pressure and sinus headaches are key signs to keep in mind to get back inside. They say to seek medical help if your breathing becomes significantly decreased.

In the current moderate category health experts advise those with autoimmune and respiratory conditions such as asthma or heart disease, those with bad allergies, young kids, and the elderly to all remain indoors with windows shut.

"The problem is, what could affect me, I'm asthmatic, could affect another asthmatic differently," Dr. Tullberg said. "So I'm not going outside and running, I'm doing everything indoors at this point. So if you can, don't do the gardening or mow the lawn."

Also, don't forget about your pets. Some people may be taking advantage of the high temperatures over the next couple of days and plan to take their dogs out.

According to the Pikes Peak Humane Society, this poor air quality can be harmful to dogs with sinus problems and smaller noses; such as pugs, french bulldogs, bulldogs, and boxers.

The poor air can also affect older dogs or ones that have health conditions. Veterinarians say during this time period to limit your pet's time outside, close the windows, and monitor your pet to make sure they are breathing normally.