HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 4/21/2020 - Memorandum From Cassie Archuleta Re: Air Quality And Covid-19 ResponseEnvironmental Services
222 Laporte Ave
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970-221-6600
fcgov.com
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 15, 2020
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Jackie Kozak Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer
Lucinda Smith, Environmental Services Director
FROM: Cassie Archuleta, Air Quality Program Manager
RE: Air Quality and COVID-19 Response
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide a preliminary summary regarding air quality along the
Front Range, wood fires and the COVID-19 response.
Bottom Line
Shelter in place and stay at home orders have highlighted the relationship between human activity and
air quality, as the Front Range and other urban areas around the world are reporting marked air quality
improvements. Also highlighted is the importance of protecting those with respiratory or cardiac issues,
as these are the most vulnerable to both COVID-19 and air quality impacts. Related to this, some
community members have contacted staff and Council requesting considerations of extra measures to
protect air quality, such as a temporary ban on outdoor residential wood burning. At this time for
outdoor burning, staff is continuing standard education/enforcement approach for wood burning with
enhanced information about the impacts of COVID-19.
Pollution Reductions
Air pollution is made up of gas or particle substances in the air that can be invisible to the eye and have
adverse effects on human health and the environment. Air quality data are already showing impacts
from changes in human activity related to the closures and the statewide stay-at-home order that went
into place in Colorado in March. Preliminary data through March 2020 indicate:
Vehicle traffic in Fort Collins is down by more than 50% since March 1, 2020. Exhaust from gas
and diesel vehicles contributes to fine particle pollution, and to pollutants that can cause ozone
pollution.
Fine particle pollution measured in Fort Collins indicated the lowest March levels in at least two
decades, with concentrations approximately 36% lower than average.
Fort Collins ozone values are low, but this is typical for this time of year as values ramp up in
the summertime. It is too early to determine the effects of virus-related shutdowns on ozone, for
which Fort Collins and the rest of the Front Range is currently classified as a “serious”
nonattainment area per the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Because air pollution is influenced by local, regional and even global sources, changes in pollution
levels measured world-wide will provide researchers with real world examples of the extent to which
pollution reductions can result from less driving, less flying and less industrial activity.
Outdoor Residential Wood Burning
One source of particle pollution, outdoor residential wood burning, was recently the subject of new air
quality nuisance rules adopted in March 2019. New rules included prohibiting outdoor wood burning
between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. along with a 15-foot property line setback for wood-burning fire pits and
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fireplaces. In April 2019, staff begin implementation, outreach, and education efforts to promote
voluntary compliance.
Individuals with a history of heart or respiratory illness are more susceptible to COVID-19, and also to
impacts from particle pollution, meaning smoke and odor from outdoor burning could exacerbate
impacts to already susceptible populations. Regional actions related to open burning have included:
State officials are discouraging open burning during COVID-19 response
(https://covid19.colorado.gov/press-release/state-officials-discourage-open-burning-during-
covid-19-response)
The US Forest Service has announced a complete fire ban for national forests in the Rocky
Mountain Region (no end date indicated)
In 2019, since implementation of the new air quality nuisance requirements (April through December
2019), the City and Poudre Fire Authority received 102 complaints. To date in 2020, 14 complaints
were received in March, and so far in April (as of April 13), 10 complaints have been received. To date,
all complaints have been resolved with education and outreach (i.e., no citations), with only one
issuance of a Notice of Violation (NOV).
While it is too early to tell if there will be an increase in complaints in 2020, neighborhood nuisance
issues may become more prevalent with more people at home more often. Some community members
have expressed concern about increased susceptibility of vulnerable populations during the COVID-19
and requested a temporary ban on wood burning at residences.
Recognizing these concerns, to date in 2020, staff has:
Updated outreach letters (first response to complaints), adding information about the State’s
discouraging open burning during the COVID-19 response.
Issued a press release, reminding community members about new rules and the increased
vulnerability of populations with heart or respiratory issues (fcgov.com/news/?id=7713).
Updated the City's outdoor burning website with smoke related COVID-19 information
(fcgov.com/airquality/outdoorburning).
Next Steps
Unless otherwise directed by Council, staff will continue to track air quality impacts related to the
COVID-19 response, promote voluntary compliance with existing outdoor recreational wood fire rules,
and promote the use of free community mediation resources, which remain available (remotely) for
these and other neighborhood issues at this time. Efforts will also include preparation of a summary
report regarding implementation of the new outdoor burning rules in 2019, expected to be provided in
May 2020.
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