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Wildfires and Air Quality Part 1: AirNow Maps and Sensors for Community Smoke Monitoring
Citation:
Clements, A., A. Holder, AND B. McCaughey. Wildfires and Air Quality Part 1: AirNow Maps and Sensors for Community Smoke Monitoring. Environmental Justice for Tribes and Indigenous Peoples Webinar, RTP, North Carolina, April 08, 2021.
Impact/Purpose:
Air sensors are increasingly used to report air quality and smoke concentrations from wildfires. This presentation, given during the Environmental Justice for Tribes and Indigenous Peoples webinar series, describes work to integrate air sensor data into the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map. This presentation seeks to inform users of the map how to interpret this new data. The presentation will also describe an indoor/outdoor measurement study and will discuss new guidance being developed to help Tribes develop a smoke monitoring plan and to integrate that data onto the map as well.
Description:
Air sensors are increasingly being utilized to monitor air quality impacts from wildfires. In 2020, a low-cost sensor layer was added to the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map as part of the Sensor Data Pilot Project. The addition of this data layer increases the spatial resolution or air quality data which can help Tribes and communities better visualize and respond to smoke impacting their community. This presentation will describe the information presented on the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map, show the value of air sensor data, highlight some important considerations when viewing the map, and discuss how the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map compares to the PurpleAir Map. This presentation will also provide an overview of the wildfire ASPIRE study which sought to help two communities reduce exposure to wildfire smoke. Findings from a tribal indoor/outdoor air sensor network and highlights guidance being developed to assist communities in developing a smoke monitoring plan using air sensors will be discussed.