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US Wildfire Smoke Map: Best Tools, AQI Tips, and Health Guidance

Lifestyle & Risk Awareness
Dec 10, 2025

man looking at us wildfire smoke map on computer

Wildfire smoke now affects families across the United States for longer stretches each year, and the haze is no longer limited to communities near active fires. Even when the nearest wildfire is hundreds of miles away, smoke can drift across states, raise local PM2.5 levels, and create unhealthy air within hours. This guide explains how to read the most reliable US wildfire smoke map tools, understand AQI (Air Quality Index) categories, and decide when to shelter or temporarily relocate. Always evacuate immediately if local authorities issue an evacuation order; smoke precautions should never delay wildfire evacuation.

Table of Contents

Top Smoke Maps: AirNow Fire & Smoke, HRRR-Smoke, PurpleAir

Reliable smoke monitoring starts with a small group of trusted tools that track PM2.5 (Particulate Matter) levels, forecast plume movement, and show how smoke from distant wildfires might affect your home today or later this week. Each tool has strengths and limitations, so using them together gives a clearer picture than relying on a single source.

AirNow Fire & Smoke Map

The AirNow Fire & Smoke Map is the most authoritative national source for real-time air quality conditions. It combines government-grade sensors, wildfire overlays, and official AQI categories that help families decide when to limit outdoor activity. AirNow also shows temporary smoke monitors placed during large fire events, which can fill data gaps in rural regions. For daily checks—especially when skies look hazy—AirNow is the best starting point.

HRRR-Smoke Model (NOAA)

The High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR)-Smoke model from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts how smoke will move over the next 48 to 72 hours. It shows plume height, concentration, and future spread based on weather patterns. While it’s a model rather than a real-time measurement tool, it’s extremely useful for anticipating unhealthy days ahead, planning errands, or deciding whether short-term relocation might make sense when smoke persists.

PurpleAir Real-Time Map

PurpleAir sensors provide hyperlocal PM2.5 readings from thousands of monitors placed by homeowners, schools, and community organizations. This dense network helps fill the gaps between official monitors. When using PurpleAir, select the “US EPA” (United States Environmental Protection Agency) correction for the most accurate readings. PurpleAir is especially helpful when conditions vary sharply between neighborhoods or when smoke layers settle close to the ground.

Wildfire Smoke Map Satellite Layers: What They Show (and Don’t)

Satellite imagery helps you see the big picture—how large smoke plumes form, which direction they’re moving, and whether the haze overhead is connected to distant wildfires. When people search for a wildfire smoke map satellite view, they’re usually looking for broad, regional smoke movement rather than street-level AQI readings. These layers are helpful, but they have important limits.

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and NOAA satellites, such as VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) and GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites),  detect smoke signatures using visible and infrared sensors. They excel at showing major plumes, high-altitude smoke transport, and multistate coverage during intense wildfire seasons. This makes them useful when skies appear milky or you smell smoke but nearby monitors show only mild PM2.5 readings. Often, satellite imagery confirms that the smoke is aloft rather than at ground level.

However, satellite layers cannot show how much smoke is reaching your neighborhood or whether indoor air quality is safe. Light smoke trapped under an inversion, for example, may not appear clearly from orbit even though PM2.5 levels at the surface are unhealthy. Satellite layers also struggle with nighttime detection and cannot replace hyperlocal sensors like PurpleAir or official AQI tools such as AirNow.

The best approach is to use satellite layers for regional awareness and pair them with ground-based AQI sensors for practical decision-making. This combination helps you understand both the source of the smoke and the actual health risk in your area.

Pairing with Active Fire Maps Google Earth for Context

Smoke often travels far from its source, which is why a smoky day doesn’t always mean there’s a nearby wildfire. To understand where the smoke is coming from, it helps to pair AQI and smoke tools with reliable perimeter and heat-detection maps. Many users searching for active fire maps Google Earth want a simple way to visualize hotspots alongside smoke plumes, and Google Earth’s built-in layers can be a helpful starting point.

Why Smoke Maps Alone Can Be Misleading

Smoke can drift hundreds or even thousands of miles as upper-level winds carry fine particles across state lines. That means your area might have hazardous air quality even when no local wildfire is burning. Without checking fire perimeters, it’s easy to assume the danger is close when the source may be far away. Confirming the fire’s origin helps you focus on health actions rather than unnecessary evacuation stress.

Using Active Fire Maps in Google Earth

Google Earth includes MODIS  (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and VIIRS wildfire detection layers that highlight recent heat signatures. Turning on these overlays lets you see where fires are burning, how large they are, and whether new hotspots are forming. The icons update several times a day and offer helpful context when evaluating smoke direction or checking for nearby activity. Pairing these layers with smoke and AQI tools gives you a clearer sense of whether the hazard is air-quality-related or part of a larger fire event.

Check CAL FIRE, InciWeb, and NIFC for Official Perimeters

For verified fire boundaries, use official sources. CAL FIRE provides up-to-date incidents in California; InciWeb lists major incidents across the U.S.; and NIFC  (National Interagency Fire Center) publishes national fire summaries, forecasts, and situational reports. Before making any safety decisions, confirm conditions with these agencies or your local fire authority. 

AQI Basics for Families (PM2.5, Categories, Masks)

Air quality can change quickly during wildfire season, and understanding the basics helps families make safer day-to-day decisions. The Air Quality Index (AQI) translates complex particle measurements into simple color-coded categories. When smoke moves across regions, the AQI is often the clearest indicator of when to limit outdoor time, improve indoor air, or consider temporary relocation.

What PM2.5 Means

PM2.5 refers to fine particles that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller—tiny enough to travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Wildfire smoke is one of the biggest contributors to PM2.5 spikes. Because these particles can irritate the lungs and stress the heart, sensitive groups—children, older adults, and people with asthma or heart conditions—may feel symptoms even at moderate AQI levels.

AQI Categories (Good to Hazardous)

The AQI is grouped into six main categories using colors you’ll see on most air quality map tools:

  • 0–50 (Good): Air quality poses little or no risk.
  • 51–100 (Moderate): Acceptable, but unusually sensitive people may react.
  • 101–150 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups): Children, older adults, and those with heart or lung issues should reduce outdoor activity.
  • 151–200 (Unhealthy): Everyone should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
  • 201–300 (Very Unhealthy): Significant health effects; consider relocating if levels persist.
  • 301–500 (Hazardous): Serious risk. Stay indoors with filtration or relocate if conditions allow.

When the AQI rises into the Unhealthy range or above, check ventilation settings, prepare a “clean room” with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) air purifier, and monitor updates from local health agencies.

Masks and Filtration

During heavy smoke, well-fitted N95 or KN95 respirators filter out most PM2.5 particles. Cloth masks and bandanas do not offer meaningful protection. If you need to be outdoors briefly during an unhealthy AQI period, choose a certified respirator and avoid strenuous activity. Indoors, focus on filtration instead of masking by running HEPA purifiers and keeping windows tightly sealed.

Why Is There Smoke in the Air Today Near Me? — How to Diagnose Quickly

It’s common to smell smoke or notice a hazy sky long before you hear about any nearby wildfire. Because smoke can travel great distances, the fastest way to understand what you’re seeing is to check several tools in sequence. This helps you distinguish between a distant wildfire, a prescribed burn, or a shift in regional winds that pulled smoke into your area overnight.

Start with the AirNow Fire & Smoke Map to confirm current AQI levels and see if smoke is detected at the surface. If the AQI is climbing but you don’t see fire activity nearby, check the HRRR-Smoke model to understand whether a plume from another state is moving in. HRRR-Smoke often explains sudden morning haze even when no local fire has been reported.

Next, open Google Earth and turn on the MODIS or VIIRS heat-detection layers. These overlays help you identify active fires that may not yet appear on local news or social media. If nothing shows up, the smoke may be coming from a prescribed burn conducted by a state or federal agency. Your state forestry department or county emergency portal will usually list planned burns for the day.

Finally, check local wind forecasts from NOAA. Strong winds, especially at higher altitudes, can carry smoke well ahead of a fire’s visible perimeter. When in doubt, prepare early by reducing outdoor exposure, improving indoor air quality, and staying alert for official updates—especially during Red Flag Warnings.

When to Shelter vs. Relocate During Heavy Smoke

Wildfire smoke often arrives in waves, and its severity can change from hour to hour. Most of the time, families can shelter safely indoors with proper filtration and sealed windows. But when smoke lingers for days or reaches very high concentrations, temporary relocation may be the healthier option—especially for sensitive individuals. Any relocation plan must always remain secondary to evacuation readiness during an active wildfire.

When Sheltering Makes Sense

Sheltering is usually appropriate when AQI levels rise into the Unhealthy range for short periods but begin trending down within a day. A “clean room” equipped with a HEPA purifier can maintain safe indoor air even when outdoor levels spike. If you have well-sealed windows, a modern HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system with recirculation mode, and no evacuation warnings in your region, staying put is generally the simplest and safest choice.

Signs You Should Consider Short-Term Relocation

Relocation may be the better option when smoke conditions remain severe for longer than 24–48 hours. AQI readings in the Very Unhealthy or Hazardous categories can strain the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, especially for children, older adults, and anyone with asthma or heart conditions. If purifiers cannot keep indoor air comfortable or you notice symptoms such as headaches or persistent coughing, relocating to a cleaner-air region until the plume shifts can provide relief.

Avoid Confusing Smoke Decisions with Fire Safety

Even during poor air quality events, the priority must remain wildfire evacuation readiness. If your area is under a Red Flag Warning or near an active fire, do not let smoke-related decisions interfere with your ability to leave quickly. Keep vehicles fueled, follow updates from local authorities, and treat any evacuation order as immediate and non-negotiable.

Room-by-Room Air Quality Tips

Improving indoor air doesn’t require major upgrades. Small, targeted adjustments reduce the amount of smoke that enters your home and help filtration work more efficiently. These room-by-room steps are simple to implement and make a noticeable difference when outdoor air quality worsens.

Create a Dedicated “Clean Room”

Choose one space—often a bedroom or living room—with minimal drafts. Close all windows and doors tightly, then run a HEPA air purifier sized appropriately for the room. Keep entry to a minimum during heavy smoke and avoid activities that generate indoor pollutants, such as burning candles or cooking on a gas stove.

Seal Windows, Doors, and Gaps

Use weatherstripping, painter’s tape, or rolled towels to block gaps that allow outdoor air to seep inside. Window AC units are common leak points; if possible, avoid using them during smoke events or seal edges thoroughly. These small fixes can dramatically improve the performance of your purifier.

Use Your HVAC System Wisely

Set your HVAC system to “recirculate” to prevent outdoor air from being pulled indoors. Replace filters more frequently during wildfire season, and choose filters rated MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) 13 or higher if your system supports them. Running the fan continuously helps circulate and clean air throughout the home.

Avoid Indoor Particle Sources

Vacuuming without a HEPA-equipped machine can stir up fine particles already settled in carpets. Frying, broiling, or using gas appliances also adds indoor particulates. During smoke episodes, keep indoor air as clean as possible by sticking to simple meals, minimizing cleaning activities that disturb dust, and using exhaust fans sparingly.

Check for Air Leaks After Wind Changes

Shifting winds can push smoke into new areas of the home. Walk through rooms and check for drafts, paying attention to sliding doors, utility closets, or older window frames. Reseal as needed and monitor AQI to ensure your indoor environment stays safe.

Cross-Check with Fire Perimeters Before Making Decisions

Smoke alone does not indicate immediate wildfire danger. Many families see haze and worry a fire is approaching, but the source may be hundreds of miles away. Before taking protective actions beyond air-quality adjustments, confirm whether a wildfire is actually burning near your region. This prevents unnecessary stress and keeps the focus on health and evacuation awareness.

Start with official perimeter tools. CAL FIRE maintains detailed incident pages for California, while InciWeb publishes verified updates for major fires across the country. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) also provides nationwide summaries, maps, and daily situation reports. These sources show whether a fire is growing, contained, or posing any threat to populated areas.

If you’re evaluating smoke but see no fire activity on official maps, it’s likely a regional or long-distance smoke event. In these cases, continue monitoring AQI tools, follow local health agency recommendations, and maintain readiness during Red Flag Warnings. For more detail on identifying fires near your home, you can look forward to our upcoming guide: Is There a Fire Near Me?

When fire perimeters and smoke data are considered together, families can make clearer, calmer decisions. Real-time awareness also helps ensure evacuation plans stay top of mind if conditions ever shift from a smoke event to a true wildfire threat.

Last-Resort Planning: Where a FORT Fits

Smoke events, even severe ones, are not situations that call for a wildfire refuge system. Improving indoor air, wearing respirators outdoors, and monitoring AQI tools are the appropriate responses during heavy smoke. A  FORT™  becomes relevant only in the rare, life-threatening scenario where a wildfire blocks all escape routes and evacuation is no longer possible.

In rare, last-resort situations when evacuation isn’t possible, a purpose-built, tested refuge like  FORT™  can provide temporary protection. Always evacuate if you can; a  FORT™  is a backstop, not a substitute for evacuation.

The  FORT™  is engineered to withstand intense heat exposure and maintain breathable air for a limited duration, but it is not designed as a day-to-day smoke shelter. Families who live in high-risk regions may choose to incorporate a FORT™  into their layered safety planning alongside defensible space, hardening upgrades, and strong evacuation readiness. For a deeper look at how the system works, see:

Understanding where a  FORT™  fits—and where it doesn’t—helps ensure families remain focused on evacuation-first and use smoke tools for what they are meant to do: protect health and guide short-term decisions during poor air quality events.

FAQs

What is the best US wildfire smoke map to use?

The AirNow Fire & Smoke Map is the most reliable source for official AQI readings and surface-level smoke conditions across the country. For added context, many families pair AirNow with PurpleAir for hyperlocal PM2.5 data and the HRRR-Smoke model for short-term plume forecasts. Using all three provides a clearer picture of both current and incoming smoke conditions.

How accurate are satellite wildfire smoke maps?

Satellite maps are excellent for viewing large smoke plumes and understanding regional transport patterns, but they cannot show neighborhood-level AQI or indoor conditions. Tools such as VIIRS and GOES are helpful for spotting broad smoke movement, especially when haze arrives with little notice. For health decisions, always pair satellite imagery with ground-based AQI readings from AirNow or PurpleAir.

What AQI level is unsafe for children or older adults?

Children, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions may feel symptoms when AQI reaches the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range (101–150). Above 150, everyone should limit outdoor activity, and sensitive individuals may need to stay indoors with filtration. When AQI reaches Very Unhealthy or Hazardous levels for prolonged periods, consider temporary relocation if conditions allow.

Should I shelter indoors or relocate during heavy wildfire smoke?

Short-term smoke waves can often be managed by staying indoors with sealed windows and HEPA filtration. If AQI remains Very Unhealthy or Hazardous for more than 24–48 hours and indoor air quality cannot be maintained, temporary relocation may be the healthier choice. Always prioritize wildfire evacuation readiness over smoke-related decisions, especially during Red Flag Warnings.

What’s the difference between AQI and PM2.5?

PM2.5 measures fine particulate matter in the air, while AQI translates that measurement into an easy-to-read category with health guidance. Most wildfire-related AQI alerts are driven by PM2.5 increases from smoke. Checking both helps you understand not only the number but also what actions to take.

Can wildfire smoke travel hundreds of miles?

Yes. Upper-level winds frequently carry smoke across states, and large plumes can cross the country during major fire seasons. This is why communities far from any active fire may still experience a smoky sky or a sudden rise in PM2.5. Smoke transport reinforces the importance of monitoring AQI even when no local incidents are reported.

Can a wildfire bunker like the FORT™  protect against smoke exposure?

A wildfire refuge system is not intended for routine smoke events. It is only designed for use when a wildfire traps residents and evacuation is impossible. In these rare, last-resort moments, a tested refuge such as the  FORT™  may provide temporary protection; however, smoke episodes alone are never a reason to enter a  FORT™ . To learn more about responsible use, visit the FORT Overview.

In rare, last-resort situations when evacuation isn’t possible, a purpose-built, tested refuge like FORT can provide temporary protection. Always evacuate if you can; a FORT™  is a backstop, not a substitute for evacuation.

Wildfire & Air Quality Acronym Glossary

HRRR — High-Resolution Rapid Refresh
A high-frequency weather model from NOAA that provides short-term forecasts, including wildfire smoke dispersion (HRRR-Smoke).
NOAA — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The U.S. scientific agency responsible for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental modeling.
PM — Particulate Matter
Tiny airborne particles (such as PM2.5) that pose health risks and are a major component of wildfire smoke.
AQI — Air Quality Index
A 0–500 scale used to communicate how polluted the air is and the associated health risks.
US EPA — United States Environmental Protection Agency
The federal agency that sets national air quality standards and develops correction formulas for sensors like PurpleAir.
NASA — National Aeronautics and Space Administration
The U.S. agency responsible for space exploration and Earth observation, including wildfire and smoke satellite monitoring.
VIIRS — Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite
A satellite sensor (on NOAA and NASA satellites) that detects wildfire hotspots, heat signatures, and smoke plumes with high detail.
GOES — Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites
NOAA satellites that provide continuous, rapid-update imagery for tracking wildfires, smoke, and weather.
MODIS — Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer
A NASA instrument on the Terra and Aqua satellites that monitors wildfire activity, burn scars, and smoke globally.
NIFC — National Interagency Fire Center
The U.S. coordination center for federal wildfire response, bringing together agencies like USFS, BLM, and NPS.
HEPA — High-Efficiency Particulate Air
A filtration standard requiring removal of 99.97% of particles ≥ 0.3 microns; highly effective for wildfire smoke.
HVAC — Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Indoor systems that regulate temperature, airflow, and air filtration; critical during smoke events.
MERV — Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value
The rating system for air filters; higher ratings (MERV 13+) are better for capturing wildfire smoke particles.

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