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Use AirNow.gov or the free AirNow app for current and forecast local air quality. For wildfire smoke, open AirNow’s Fire and Smoke Map and check PM2.5; for ozone, use the general AQI display or the Interactive Map. Always check which pollutant a number represents: AirNow’s headline AQI reports whichever is higher—ozone or particle pollution—and may not reflect smoke levels.
Check local air quality in AirNow
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Open AirNow.gov or the AirNow mobile app, then enter a ZIP code, city, or state. AirNow returns the nearest city with available air-quality data. If no city is within 50 miles, it may direct you to a state page listing available cities. Forecasts are available where shown.
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Choose the view that matches the pollutant you want to check. Use the Fire and Smoke Map for wildfire smoke and PM2.5, or the general AQI page or Interactive Map for ozone.
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Check again during a smoke event. EPA says concentrations can change quickly; use current readings alongside forecasts and alerts from local or Tribal air-quality agencies.
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Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor, Detects temperature, humidity, carbon monoxide, PM2.5 and VOCs, Get notifications when air quality drops, Works with Alexa- Know your air – An Alexa air quality monitor that makes it easy to understand what’s in your indoor air.
- Track and measure – Our indoor air quality monitor keeps tabs on 5 key factors: particulate matter (PM 2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), humidity, and temperature.
- Stay informed – Get an indication of current indoor air quality from the color-coded LED, and detailed information and an easy-to-understand air quality score in the Alexa app.
- Real-time alerts - Get notifications on your phone or announcements on Echo devices when Alexa detects poor indoor air quality.
- Automate climate control - Enable Routines to turn on or off your compatible Alexa devices, such as air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and fans, when the indoor air quality sensors detect changes.
Choose the right AirNow map
| AirNow view | Best for | What it shows | Important limitation |
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General AQI or location page |
Quick local AQI and forecasts, including ozone |
Current AQI for ozone or particle pollution, whichever is higher |
The displayed AQI might be ozone rather than PM2.5, so it may not show how smoke is affecting the area. Check the pollutant label. |
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Wildfire smoke and local PM2.5 |
Permanent and temporary PM2.5 monitors, sensors, fire locations, smoke plumes, trends, recommendations, and smoke outlooks where available Rank #2
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16 in 1 Air Quality Monitor Indoor 7" High-Precision Real-Time CO2 Monitor
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Monitor coverage varies. A plume can be smoke aloft rather than ground-level exposure, and satellites may not detect plumes at night or through clouds. Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
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Pollutant-specific monitor readings |
Permanent monitors reporting to AirNow, with ozone, PM2.5, and PM10 layers and optional contours |
It does not provide the same combination of sensor readings and wildfire context as the Fire and Smoke Map. Rank #3
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GoveeLife Smart Air Quality Monitor with PM2.5 H5106, LED Display Wired
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How to read the Fire and Smoke Map
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Search for your location or use the map’s geolocation option.
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Inspect nearby PM2.5 circles and select a marker for its reading, the day’s history, whether conditions are stable, improving, or worsening, and recommendations. The map distinguishes permanent monitors, temporary monitors, and sensors; these are different data sources, not interchangeable markers.
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Look for a smoke outlook if one is available for your area. Not every location has an outlook or nearby monitor.
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LifeBasis Air Quality Monitor Indoor, 11-in-1 Air Quality Detector- MULTIFUNCTION MONITORING: This indoor air quality monitor provides real-time monitoring of 11 crucial indexes including AQI, CO2, PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10, Particles, HCHO, TVOC, temperature and humidity, dual alert system-visual and audible. Life Basis air quality monitor keeps you informed of current air quality levels at all times to guarantee the breath quality of your family
- HIGH-PRECISOIN SMART SENSOR: The air quality meter is equipped with NDIR infrared carbon dioxide sensor, laser particle sensor, semiconductor sensor, photoelectric sensor, temperature and humidity sensor, which responds quickly and sensitively, and provide accurate indoor air concentration
- COLOR AND SOUND ALERT: The color of the icon corresponding to a single gas changes according to the gas concentration, which are Good(Green), Moderate Pollution(Yellow), Poor (Orange), Abnormal(Red) four grades. When the Normal is exceeded, the device will emit a ticking alert sound, the indicator light will flash continuously and the interface color will change.
- CLEAR DISPLAY SETTINGS: Life Basis Air Quality Monitor has a LCD screen display, each data is clear with color reminder , easy to understand. The screen brightness can be adjusted according to your needs, allowing you to understand the indoor air quality at a glance
- LONG BATTERY LIFE: Equipped with a 2500mAh battery and Type-C Charging Port, easy to use and portable. Our air quality monitor provides up to 11-12 hours of continuous use on a full charge.
AirNow recommends the Fire and Smoke Map when wildfire smoke is affecting air quality. Its map instructions list these U.S. AQI bands:
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Good: 0–50
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Moderate: 51–100
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Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 101–150
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Unhealthy: 151–200
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Very Unhealthy: 201–300
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Hazardous: 301 and above
These are AQI categories, not universal personal exposure thresholds. Interpret a color or number alongside its pollutant and data source. A crowd-sourced sensor reading, a temporary monitor, and a permanent monitor may differ because they are separate devices and data streams.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check ozone separately from smoke
For ozone, use AirNow’s general AQI display or open the Interactive Map and select ozone data. The general AQI shows whichever is higher: ozone or particle pollution. Read the pollutant label instead of assuming that the headline AQI is PM2.5. The Interactive Map’s pollutant layers let you inspect ozone independently of the smoke-focused Fire and Smoke Map.
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- ALWAYS-ON AIR QUALITY SENSORS: WiFi connected indoor air quality monitor measuring radon gas, PM2.5 (air pollution detector), carbon dioxide (CO2), VOCs (airborne such as kitchen gases, fumes and cleaning products), humidity, temperature, and air pressure. The monitor requires the Airthings app to function. Operating Temperature 4 to 40°C / 39 to 104°F.Sensor type: Electrochemical
- ACCURATE DIGITAL RADON DETECTOR: Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and kills more than 6x the number of people than home fires and carbon monoxide poisoning combined.
- SMART AIR QUALITY MONITORS YOU CAN TRUST: With 15 years of experience in indoor radon and air quality monitoring, Airthings has established trust among over 1,000,000 users who rely on its smart monitors for understanding and controlling their air health. An account is required to use the device, which only requires providing your email and name.
- CONTINOUS MONITORING: Check your live data anytime and receive timely air quality notifications wherever you are. Track pollutants and contaminants before they become a problem with this always-on indoor radon gas, VOC, CO2, PM2.5 air quality monitor. The monitor and app both require internet access, with data saved securely in the cloud for seamless tracking and analysis.
- FREE & FRIENDLY APP: Use the Airthings app to check current air quality readings and analyze trends over time. Get timely notifications and tips to improve your air. Check your local pollen forecast with data from Breezometer.
Do not treat a satellite plume as a ground-level reading
The plume layer provides context, not a direct measurement of the air at your address. AirNow notes that plumes are most detectable in the afternoon, may be invisible at night or through clouds, and can represent smoke in the atmosphere that is not affecting ground-level air quality. Compare plume information with monitor readings near you.
Use readings with alerts and practical precautions
EPA advises checking AQI frequently during smoke events. Bookmark AirNow or your state, local, or Tribal air-quality agency page, and use local alerts and forecasts as additional context. AirNow email notifications are also available.
EPA identifies children, older adults, pregnant people, people with heart or lung disease, and people with greater exposure—such as outdoor workers—as groups for whom reducing smoke exposure is especially important. For individualized health advice, consult a clinician and current EPA or local guidance.
If you choose to use a portable air cleaner, EPA advises selecting one powerful enough for the room and one that produces little or no ozone. See the EPA’s indoor air cleaner and filter guidance.
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