California fires bring dirty air to Springs

The haze hanging above Colorado Springs on Monday came from fires burning more than 1,000 miles away.

Southwest winds are funneling smoke from the Southern California wildfires across northern Arizona and into Colorado, National Weather Service spokesman James Hall said.

But a storm system moving into Colorado Springs tonight should push out the smoke, Hall said.

“Moderate” air quality was measured Monday in Colorado Springs, said Susan Wheelan of the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment. That’s a step down from the “good” measurement typical for the area, she said.

Children, the elderly and people with heart and lung diseases are most at risk for breathing problems, said Danielle Hannaly-Gentle, air quality specialist for the county health department.

But even those outside these categories might be sensitive to the smoke, exhibiting symptoms including coughing, headaches, irritated eyes or a scratchy throat, Hannaly-Gentle said.

The solution: Go inside, she said.