What steps can residents take to ensure the air quality during active wildfires? This is what a recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters hopes to address as a team of scientists investigated policies and techniques that residents could use to obtain the correct data and information regarding safe air quality during an active wildfire. This study has the potential to help scientists, policymakers, and the public develop and access resources regarding safety during active wildfires.
For the study, the researchers analyzed data obtained from satellites and monitoring stations during the LA wildfires in early January 2025, including almost 750 sensors, regarding the air quality during the wildfires, specifically fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) observations. The goal of the study was to ascertain whether LA residents were receiving accurate, real-time data and information pertaining to air quality as the wildfires raged. In the end, the researchers found that having a multitude of monitoring sources is key for establishing accurate air quality data. However, the researchers noted that local sensors alone can’t cover enough ground, and that satellite data is needed to fill the gaps.
“People want one number that lets them know whether it’s safe to go running outside or take their kid to the playground,” said Dr. Claire Schollaert, who is a postdoctoral associate at the University of California, Los Angeles and lead author of the study. “It’s our job as researchers to try to figure out how to make that information as reliable as possible.”
The LA fires raged from January 7-31, 2025, resulting in 31 deaths, more than 200,000 evacuated, and more than 18,000 structures destroyed. Therefore, studies like this can help local governments better inform their residents regarding accurate air quality data, ensuring safety and reliability throughout the chaos.
What new policies will ensure air quality information will be available during active wildfires in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!
As always, keep doing science & keep looking up!
Sources: Environmental Science & Technology Letters, EurekAlert!
Featured Image: Palisade Fire smoke on January 8, 2025. (Credit: Jeff Suer)