You may have noticed that it's been just a little hazy along the Front Range lately, so it's not surprising that Colorado's air quality isn't so great right now. What is a little surprising, however, is the Denver area's air quality is currently the sixth-worst in the world.

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9NEWS meteorologist Chris Bianchi tweeted that Denver's air quality is currently the sixth-worst in the world, 'based on data from air quality tracking website @IQAir,' and is 'the worst in the entire Western Hemisphere.' Not something we want to be '#1' for.

Bianchi notes that there are probably places 'where air quality is obviously worse' because they're closer to fires, but among major cities, the Denver area's air quality is worse than in Mexico City, Mexico, Santiago, Chile and Delhi, India.

But why is the Mile High sky so smoggy this week? Again, secondhand smoke. While we are in our wildfire season, the smoke that's been clouding up Colorado is actually still coming from elsewhere.

'The smoke is from fires in the northwest United States and Canada,' Denver7 reported, adding that the Air Quality Alert for Larimer and Weld Counties is in effect until at least 4 p.m. Monday. It may be a good day to stay indoors, especially if you are in the sensitive groups category.

City of Fort Collins
City of Fort Collins
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The photo above is from the City of Fort Collins' air quality webcam located at New Belgium Brewery. Taken at 9:15 a.m. Monday, as you can see, or can't see, the Front Range foothills and Longs Peak are barely visible.

You can see how smoke from out-of-state fires winds up in Colorado from the National Weather Service, below.

Photos: 10 Reminders to 'Leave No Trace' in Colorado

 

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