Firefighters brace for second hot, windy day at Lightner Creek Fire

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Firefighters brace for second hot, windy day at Lightner Creek Fire

State team to take command; air support to continue
To help animals

The La Plata County Humane Society needs cat and dog food and cat litter for animals that were evacuated from the Lightner Creek Fire. Many of the animals have been taken to the Humane Society. You can donate at 1111 South Camino del Rio. Horses are being housed at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.

Smoke precautions

San Juan Basin Public Health Department advises that smoke from the fire may cause problems for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly. Consider limiting outdoor activity; people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill.
Other tips to protect yourself:
Close windows and doors and stay inside. However, do not close up your home tightly if it makes it dangerously warm inside.
Only if they are filtered, run the air conditioning, your evaporative cooler, or the fan feature on your home heating system (with the heat turned off). Keep the outdoor air intake closed and be sure the filter is clean. Filtered air typically has less smoke than the air outdoors. Running these appliances if they are not filtered can make indoor smoke worse.
As temperatures cool in the evening, inversion conditions worsen and smoke in low lying areas may become thicker, especially if the outdoor air is still. It tends to be worst near dawn.
Close bedroom windows at night.
To prepare for nighttime smoke, consider airing out your home in early to mid afternoon when smoke tends to be more diluted. Use your best judgment. If smoke is thick during the day, follow the tips above.

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