Southern Ute Air Quality Division Issues Air Alert

Thursday August 7th, 2025. Residents of the Reservation may experience Moderately Unhealthy to Unhealthy Air Quality Conditions today due to Wildfire Smoke from several local and regional forest fires.

Smoke from wildfires can cause unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter in the air.

The Tribe’s Air Quality Division continuously monitors particulate matter at a station located in Ignacio (Ute 1) and a station located near Bondad Hill (Ute 3). Real-time particulate matter data and corresponding EPA Air Quality Index (AQI) health alerts are generated on the Tribe’s Ambient Air Monitoring website (link at the bottom of the page).

The Ignacio station (Ute 1) and Bondad Station (Ute 3) are currently measuring elevated Particulate Matter concentrations with the AQI becoming Moderate to Unhealthy, meaning there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

Weblinks are listed below for (1) the Tribe’s Ambient Air Monitoring website, (2) the EPA AirNow Current Air Quality Conditions for the Ignacio Area, (3) the AirNow smoke mapping website, and (4) an EPA article about the health effects of fire smoke.

SUIT Ambient Air Monitoring Website

EPA AirNow – Current Air Quality Conditions – Ignacio Area

AirNow Fire and Smoke Map – Ignacio Area

Fire Map | Watch Duty

EPA Air Now Article – How Smoke from Fires Can Affect Your Health

Fire Information on any local fires, information is available on the Watch Duty website at the following link: Fire Information Map

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