For the air quality and smoke check, use AirNow Wildfires and Smoke for the closest available location and current update time. Read the AQI category, main pollutant, forecast, and local smoke or health alert together.
For air quality and smoke check, make sure AirNow Wildfires and Smoke covers the exact address, system, provider, or monitoring location. Keep AQI category, main pollutant, the record identifier, and the update or effective date when following up on a mismatch.
Check the air quality and smoke reading for your location and time
Use AirNow Wildfires and Smoke for the location and time you care about. A citywide value can differ from the nearest monitor and from smoke conditions at a specific address.
Note the pollutant behind the AQI
Note the location, update time, AQI category, main pollutant, and any local smoke or health advisory before changing outdoor plans.
- Current location
- Time of the reading
- AQI value and pollutant
- Local health alert
Compare the current reading with the local alert
- Open AirNow Wildfires and Smoke and set the closest available location.
- Match current location, time of the reading, and AQI value and pollutant with the monitor or forecast shown.
- Read AQI category, main pollutant, measurement time, and the attached smoke or health notice.
- Compare the current reading with the forecast and a local public-health or emergency-management alert when smoke is moving quickly.
- Record the source and update time rather than saving an undated AQI number alone.
Use the time stamp before changing plans
Interpret the AQI in its stated location and time window. The main pollutant and forecast explain more than the color alone, and smoke conditions can change after the page is opened.
| Current detail | How to interpret it |
|---|---|
| AQI location | Air quality can change across neighborhoods and valleys. Confirm with the official AQI map. |
| Pollutant | Ozone, PM2.5, wildfire smoke, and dust can require different guidance: AQI detail. |
| Update time | Smoke conditions can change quickly. Confirm with the map timestamp. |
| Sensitive groups | Children, older adults, pregnancy, asthma, and heart or lung conditions can change the action level: Health guidance. |
The reading used for air quality and smoke check can change quickly and may not represent another location or indoor conditions; follow current local health guidance when exposure matters.
If no monitor appears near the location
Use the nearest monitor with care and compare it with the smoke map, forecast, and local health alert. Terrain, wind, and distance can make a nearby reading unrepresentative.
Follow current local public-health guidance when exposure affects a child, older adult, pregnant person, outdoor worker, or someone with heart or lung disease.