A friend of mine left Seattle a week ago and complained about the smoke, including in Colorado. Now in Missouri, He says he's relieved to finally be where the air is clear.
We were in Chama NM until Sunday. Hit or miss on a slight smoke/hazy day. Smoke/haze was reported to come from California fires. Report from Colorado Springs tv station. Pat
2010 Ford F-350 SRW 2021 Grand Design Reflection 315
We spent a week in Ouray two weeks ago. We hiked over by Telluride to Lake Hope, Silverton area by Molas Lake on the Colorado Trail as well as Highland Mary Lakes, and in the Uncompahgre Wilderness area northeast of Ouray to Wetterhorn Basin and just outside of Ouray in Yankee Boy Basin. Actual fire did not hamper us at all. Smoke varied from day to day depending on weather and wind. The big fires are still there but have been contained for the most part and they are just letting them burn out and they are burning much more slowly especially with the weather changes. All roads we were on were open and did not see any closed ones, the San Juan Forest was open, all the trails we looked at were open. Though the only trails that might have been affected that we were on were the Hope Lake Trail and the Colorado Trail. Colorado Trail was open at Molas Lake whereas a month ago or so it had been closed in that area due to the 416 fire. Most days were not bad just haze in the distance but a couple days the haze was much more prevalent. Wasn't too bad at all was every thing clear as a bell no but again depended on the day. We did notice that the Aspens were starting to turn at least in certain areas out there. A bit early but they say it is due to the drought. So you may see some good changes by now.
inciweb.nwcg.gov is a good place for fire info. I think most of the big Colorado fires have been controlled now with the help of some late summer rains.
We just got home after spending 2 weeks in the Ouray-Durango area. It was hazy a few days but never blocked any view. Not sure the haze was from CO fires. We ran a number of 4X4 trails and never saw any fires. We have 3 groups of friends who were also recently in CO. 1 group was around Grand Junction, another around Salida, and the 3rd group in the Estes Park area. They all said they never saw any fires, smoke or haze.