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On a typical summer day, the mountains to the west are visible for miles, offering a stunning backdrop. Recently, however, Denver has been enveloped in a thick haze, with smoke hanging heavily in the air. This past Tuesday, Denver experienced the worst air quality in the entire United States.

Both the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Regional Air Quality Council issued an alert for an ozone action day. This was due to increased particle pollution and ozone levels, largely a result of wildfire smoke drifting in from Canada and other western regions.

The alert specifically affects residents along the Front Range urban corridor, stretching from Douglas County up to Larimer and Weld counties. This includes major areas like Denver-Boulder, Fort Collins, and Greeley.

A Swiss company named IQAir, which monitors real-time pollution in large cities globally, highlighted that Denver’s air pollution was among the worst worldwide. On Tuesday morning at 11 a.m., IQAir reported Denver as having the poorest air quality among major U.S. cities, ranking it ninth worldwide with an AQI score of 88, which signifies moderate air quality. By comparison, Medan in Indonesia, which had the worst air quality globally at the same time, had a score of 192, indicating an unhealthy level.

Denver’s air quality continues to fluctuate by the minute.

Although the city might shift in ranking on the live tracker, its air quality remains significantly poorer than other U.S. cities. The next American city on the list was Salt Lake City, Utah, which held the 26th position with an AQI of 72 at 11 a.m.

The ozone alert from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment was set to last until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, though meteorologists from the Pinpoint Weather team noted it could be extended if the wildfire smoke persists in the coming days. However, relief is on the horizon; the smoke is expected to start dissipating by Thursday, according to the most accurate forecast for Colorado.

The National Weather Service has offered some guidance for staying safe during this period of poor air quality. They advise staying indoors as much as possible, particularly for individuals with respiratory or other health issues. If it’s necessary to be outside, try to limit exposure to only essential activities. It’s also recommended to minimize the use of vehicles and equipment that contribute to pollution, such as cars and gas-powered lawnmowers. Additionally, refrain from burning debris or other materials during the alert.

The Pinpoint Weather team is observing a drying trend this week, with few storms expected to help clear the air. It’s crucial to stay updated with any further air quality alerts from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.