As residents return to areas impacted by the Black Forest Fire, they may have concerns related to the safety of their private water wells. Click the link below for more information about water testing services and water testing instructions.

When returning to your home or neighborhood after a wildfire, take steps to protect your heath. Click the link below to read more about how a wildfire can affect your food, water, and air. Cleanup guidance is also available.

During and after an emergency, tetanus is a concern for persons with both open and closed wounds, and a tetanus vaccination is recommended for all residents or first responders who have not had a documented dose within the past 5 years. Get vouchers for free tetanus shots at the Disaster Assistance Center, 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Rd. Walk-in hours are Mon-Fri, 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. 

Updates on the Black Forest Fire are available at www.elpasoco.com and on Twitter. You can click on these links to view news feeds: @EPCPublicHealth, @EPCSheriff and @EPCPIO on Twitter.

Monitor your local air quality, and if needed, take precautionary steps. If you can see or smell smoke, reduce your exposure by going indoors. People should reduce or limit strenuous outdoor activity if smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy. The Colorado Department of Health and Environment's air quality index reports the daily level of air pollution on an hourly basis.