Extreme Heat, Wildfire Danger, and Air Quality Crisis

Parker and the Denver metro are under a persistent heat dome with near-100°F temps, heat advisories, and ozone alerts. July set a record for most 90-degree days in Denver; triple digits expected Sunday/Monday with smoke from Pacific NW fires. Wildfire smoke from the Aspen Acres Fire (100,000+ acres, 61% contained, 851 structures destroyed) made air quality the worst in the country; conditions are improving but still impacted. A new wildfire, the Penley Fire west of Sedalia, sparked on July 27 with mandatory evacuations; it reached 50% containment on 3 acres but evacuations remain. Another fire, Rio Blanco in SW Colorado, grew to 440 acres with evacuations. Stage 2 fire restrictions remain; July 4 fireworks canceled. Monsoonal moisture is bringing rain and storms, with flood watches on burn scars (including Aspen Acres); weekend returns to near-100°F. Douglas County is using drones and AI cameras for wildfire detection; a live fire map tool is available. Residents urged to take heat precautions and sign up for DougCo Alert. Castle Rock has moved to Stage 2 drought restrictions. Regulators are now considering a ban on commercial gas lawn equipment to improve air quality. Latest forecast: 101°F today, 100°F tomorrow, then a cool down Tuesday.