The City of Albuquerque has issued a “wildfire smoke watch,” warning of possible elevated particulates, as smoke from a fire burning near Phoenix is expected to reach New Mexico’s largest city late today or early Friday.
Winds over Arizona and New Mexico turned southwesterly Thursday afternoon, bringing with it smoke from the Woodbury Fire in the mountains east of Phoenix, according to the city health advisory.
The fire in the Tonto National Forest has burned about 50,494 acres, according to the InciWeb incident information system website.
“The smoke is expected to reach Albuquerque between 11 p.m. tonight and 1 a.m. Friday,” the city said. “The smoke could linger into Friday morning. Breezy winds are expected to blow the smoke out of Albuquerque by noon Friday.”
In any case, elevated particulate concentrations are possible as a result.
“People who are sensitive to smoke may want to take precautions such as staying indoors and closing windows, avoiding exercise and exertion, as well as keeping medicines and breathing equipment nearby,” the city said.
