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Cornell University

Wildfire Smoke + Air Quality

AQI and Decision Making

Using Air Quality Monitor and Sensor Data to Inform Decisions

When wildfires are active, surrounding communities may experience risks related to smoke and air quality, even if there is no current fire risk. Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of miles to impact health and well-being.

 

When you need to make a personal or organizational decision related to wildfire smoke air quality, follow these three steps.

     1. Access reliable information.

Only data from national or state government organizations should be used, to be sure that the data are accurate and presented accurately. For reliable reporting on current air quality in New York State visit:

 

      2. Understand what the data are/are reporting.

There are a number of ways that wildfire smoke air quality might be reported. Check to see if the data are 24-hour AQI or Nowcast AQI (current reading). If the data does not say Nowcast, it is likely a 24-hour average. Remember that….

  • 24-hour averages may not reflect current conditions. This is a picture of the past. Air quality could be getting better or worse.
  • Air quality data does not predict future air quality, unless it specifically reports being forecasted data.
  • Even if you are reading forecast data, air quality can change quickly. Stay aware.

 

      3. Check to see trends.

Something that can help your decision-making is asking: is the air quality getting worse or better? If things have been getting worse over the last number of hours, then you might presume that air quality will be poor for a while. If things have been getting better, you might see that as a sign that risks will lower. To check trends:

  • Visit the EPA’s https://fire.airnow.gov/
  • Select one of the monitors (circles) or sensors (squares) on the map to see detailed information
  • Click on the “trend” icon to see details
  • Visit our How to Interpret Air Quality Measures Page for more detailed instructions on how to interpret monitor and sensor data, trends, and history.