Air Quality
AQI maps, real-time sensors, and smoke forecasts
Poor air quality from wildfire smoke, ozone, or particulate matter can turn a backcountry trip into a health hazard. Check air quality conditions before heading out, especially during fire season, and know when levels are unsafe for prolonged outdoor exertion.
- AirNow (EPA) Web — the official US Air Quality Index (AQI) source from the EPA. Provides current conditions, forecasts, and health guidance for outdoor activity based on your location.
- AirNow Fire and Smoke Map Web — EPA smoke plume forecasts and fire-related air quality data overlaid on an interactive map. Essential during wildfire season for planning around smoke drift.
- PurpleAir Web — real-time air quality data from a network of low-cost sensors. Provides hyper-local readings that can fill gaps between official monitoring stations, especially useful in rural and mountainous areas.
- IQAir Web App — global air quality map with AQI readings, pollutant breakdowns, and health recommendations. Aggregates data from government monitors and its own sensor network.
- EPA Outdoor Air Quality Data Web — historical and current air quality monitoring data from EPA stations across the US. Useful for understanding seasonal air quality patterns in areas you plan to visit.