Wildfire Smoke & Air Quality Tracker: Live Conditions
For current wildfire activity, visit our Live U.S. Wildfire Tracker.
Wildfire Smoke & Air Quality Tracker
Live smoke plumes, particulate pollution, and air quality readings across the United States — pulled directly from the monitoring networks meteorologists and air agencies use.
Understanding the AQI Scale
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is EPA's standard 0–500 scale for reporting how polluted the air is, driven largely by PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) during wildfire smoke events. Higher numbers mean greater health risk.
Live Smoke & Particulate Pollution Map
Windy's air-quality layer, showing modeled PM2.5 (fine particulate) concentration in real time — the same pollutant that drives wildfire smoke impacts. Use the layer switcher inside the map to compare PM2.5, PM10, and other pollutants.
Source: Windy.com (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service / CAMS data).
Community Sensor Map (PurpleAir)
PurpleAir's crowd-sourced sensor network is the fastest way to see hyper-local smoke impacts, since it includes tens of thousands of low-cost monitors alongside regulatory-grade stations. Readings can run higher than official monitors during heavy smoke — treat it as a directional, real-time complement to AirNow's regulatory data below.
Source: PurpleAir real-time map, community-operated PM2.5 sensors.
Current AQI — Fire-Prone Metro Areas
Official current readings from AirNow (EPA), for cities that are frequently affected by wildfire smoke.
Active Fire & Official Source Links
For confirmed fire perimeters, evacuation info, and the authoritative national smoke outlook, go straight to the agencies that produce the data.
EPA/USFS combined view of monitored AQI, temporary smoke sensors, satellite smoke plumes, and fire locations.
National real-time and forecast AQI by monitoring station, plus health guidance.
Satellite-detected active fire and thermal anomaly locations, updated multiple times daily.
Official incident information for significant wildfires: containment, acreage, and evacuation notices.
National situation reports and current wildland fire activity summaries.
State-level air monitoring data for California, the state most frequently affected by wildfire smoke.
What to Do at Each AQI Level
| AQI Level | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Good / Moderate | Normal outdoor activity is fine for most people. Sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms during Moderate readings. |
| Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | Children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with asthma or heart/lung conditions should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. |
| Unhealthy | Everyone should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Close windows, run air purifiers/HVAC on recirculate, and wear a properly fitted N95/P100 mask outdoors if you must be out. |
| Very Unhealthy | Avoid outdoor activity. Keep indoor air filtered, and check on family, neighbors, or coworkers with respiratory or cardiac conditions. |
| Hazardous | Stay indoors with windows and doors sealed. Follow local health department and emergency management guidance; this is an emergency-level health risk for the entire population. |
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