SALT LAKE CITY — Public health officials in several western U.S. states reported an increase in respiratory complaints as wildfire smoke spread across the region over the weekend, while authorities urged residents in affected areas to limit smoke exposure and monitor local air quality advisories.
The reports come as multiple large wildfires continue to burn across the West, including the Cottonwood Fire in Utah, amid hot, dry and windy conditions that have prompted emergency declarations, evacuation orders and air quality alerts. Smoke from the fires has affected communities well beyond active fire zones, with state and local agencies warning that deteriorating air quality could worsen breathing problems for sensitive groups.
State health agencies and emergency officials said hospitals and emergency departments had seen more people seeking care for respiratory symptoms associated with smoke exposure, although comprehensive regional totals were not publicly available as of Saturday. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said wildfire smoke can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs and may trigger coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing, particularly among children, older adults, pregnant people and individuals with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart disease.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued air quality health advisories covering multiple western counties through Sunday morning because of smoke from wildfires in Utah and Colorado. The advisory said areas downwind of the fires could experience moderate to heavy smoke and recommended that people remain indoors if smoke became dense, especially those with heart or respiratory illnesses, older adults and young children. “If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors,” the department said in its public advisory.
In Utah, Governor Spencer Cox declared a state of emergency and temporarily restricted fireworks as firefighters continued battling the rapidly growing Cottonwood Fire. Officials have said strong winds, low humidity and unusually dry conditions have complicated suppression efforts and contributed to widespread smoke affecting nearby communities.
The CDC said wildfire smoke can travel long distances from active fires, exposing communities far from the flames to unhealthy air. The agency advises people to reduce outdoor activity during smoky conditions, keep indoor air as clean as possible and follow guidance issued by local health and emergency management authorities.
As of Saturday, air quality advisories remained in effect for parts of the western United States, and fire and public health officials said they would continue monitoring smoke conditions and healthcare impacts while updating residents through local advisories as wildfire activity continued.
