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WSMART – Providing Supplemental Air Quality Monitoring Technology During Wildfires
Citation:
Holder, A., G. Hagler, AND L. Phelps. WSMART – Providing Supplemental Air Quality Monitoring Technology During Wildfires. NEHA, NA, NC, March 23, 2023.
Impact/Purpose:
This is a webinar presentation to the National Environmental Health Association, discussing the Wildfire Smoke Air Monitoring Technology Pilot (WSMART) loans to state, local, and tribal air agencies as well as to Air Resource Advisors (ARAs) in the Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program. The purpose of this talk is to inform the public health professional community about the growing challenge of wildfire smoke and support response preparedness.
Description:
Smoke from wildfires can quickly degrade air quality in areas downwind, causing a visible haze and health impacts. Modulated by meteorology and fire conditions, smoke impacts vary with time and location, sometimes affecting areas without any nearby air monitors. As part of a federal government response to address the growing threat of wildfires and related smoke impacts that are a public health concern in the United States, the Wildfire Smoke Air Monitoring Response Technology (WSMART) program provides supplemental air monitoring equipment to the Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program (IWFAQRP) as well as state, local, and tribal air agencies upon request. This presentation will discuss the challenges of wildfire smoke monitoring, explain the WSMART technology, show real-world examples of use, and share future plans.