A wave of dangerous ozone pollution is sweeping across parts of the West and Southwest, prompting air quality alerts that stretch from Colorado’s Front Range to the deserts of Arizona and into West Texas. The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning thousands of residents that the air outside isn’t just hazy—it could be harmful—and is advising those affected to stay inside until it clears.
Where the Air Quality Alerts Are Hitting
The most widespread alert is in Colorado, where an “Ozone Action Day” covers the densely populated Front Range Urban Corridor. That includes Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Greeley, and surrounding counties like Jefferson, Adams, Arapahoe, Larimer, Weld, Douglas, and Broomfield. This is the state’s population spine—and right now, it’s under a cloud of unhealthy air.
Further south, Texas officials have issued an alert for El Paso, including downtown, Fort Bliss, and surrounding communities.
Meanwhile, in Arizona, the air quality warnings center on Maricopa County—home to Phoenix and its sprawling metro area.
Why Is The Air So Bad Right Now?
This isn’t wildfire smoke—it’s ground-level ozone, a pollutant created when sunlight reacts with emissions from cars, industry, and other sources…