The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is advising sensitive residents near Cody to reduce outdoor activities because of poor air quality. This is due to the Firehawk fire, which is burning 42 miles west of Cody in the Washakie wilderness.
The fire is introducing more particulate matter 2.5 in the air. That's a small air pollutant that can cause respiratory problems.
Keith Guille, DEQ public information officer, said the particulate is currently at 19, which is a moderate level.
"Those sensitive people are those who have asthma or elderly or younger they may want to curb their activities," he said.
Guille said people can monitor daily conditions on wyvisnet.com. He said it is up to the individual to decide if he/she can hike or walk outside and he/she should contact their physicians if they have any questions.
The Fishhawk fire doubled in size in less than 24 hours. A mandatory evacuation has been issued for cabins in the Kitty Creek drainage and the Buffalo Bill Boy Scout Camp.
