WELCOME TO THE INTERAGENCY REAL-TIME SMOKE
PARTICULATE MONITORING WEB SITE

Smoke management is a critical aspect of wildland fuels reduction. Airborne smoke particulate, especially particulates smaller than 2.5 um in diameter (PM2.5), generated when burning biomass pose potential health, visibility, safety, and nuisance problems. Forest and fire managers and air quality specialists require real-time particulate concentrations to effectively assess concerns when managing prescribed burns.

This web site provides real-time smoke concentration data (along with some other meteorological information) from portable smoke monitors. Historical data from past monitoring efforts are also available.

The data on this site from monitors deployed in support of fuels reduction activities will assist fire managers in properly managing fire and smoke. In addition to fuels reduction efforts, smoke monitors may also be deployed near wildfires to assist State and local health departments determine the geographic location and extent of health risks from smoke.

Raw data presented for this site are collected in “near-real time” and are intended only as an indicator of recent air quality. Data must be interpreted with caution. The data have not been validated by human review and may contain errors. These data are provided for public awareness and Federal Land Manager review only. They should not be used in any medical or scientific study. Contact your regional air program manager to obtain quality-assured quarterly data summaries or access to fully-validated raw data.