Wildfire Smoke Impacts on Communities

Location: Alaska

Start Date: May 14, 2014

Description: Wildfire smoke is a growing source of air pollution, largely driven by a increasing temperatures, a longer snow-free season, decreases in precipitation, the change and drying of vegetation and increased frequency of lightening. For communities in Alaska, this has resolved in a longer wildfire smoke season and in some cases prolonged exposure to smoke. Smoke is a respiratory irritant and there is a well established relationship between poor air quality and increased hospitalization for cardiovascular and respiratory events DHSS. Tracking the range of wildfire smoke impacts is important for identifying communities that are impacted, and vulnerability to smoke. It is the first step towards developing effective interventions to provide adequate refuge and care for residents suffering from harmful levels of wildfire smoke.

Observing Protocols: Observers are asked to share observations of wildfire smoke events when they occur, and to share images and comments about the severity, duration, and impacts of smoke on their community.

EPA researchers are also collecting observations of the health effects of wildfire smoke in communities.Individuals who want to contribute to science can participate in the study by using the Smoke Sense app, a publicly available mobile application on Google Play Store and App Store. The Smoke Sense App is available for download here.

Inputs: LEO Network Observations

Outputs: Selected LEO Network observations will be added to the project map. Observers are invited to participate in a community of practice on the topic, which may include training and sharing of methods for measuring smoke severity and participation in an on-going discussion. Observations will be used to ground truth models for smoke exposure and to strengthen the forecast accuracy of UAFSMOKE. Observations will also be used to identify and evaluate community vulnerability to wildfire smoke and for evaluation of potential prevention and adaptation measures.

Project Updates: The June 13, 2017, LEO Webinar includes an update on this project and explore methods for observing wildfire smoke events.

Resources:

AirNow > > Alaska – "Every day the Air Quality Index (AQI) tells you how clean or polluted your outdoor air is, along with associated health effects that may be of concern. The AQI translates air quality data into numbers and colors that help people understand when to take action to protect their health."

Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation – For More Information on Community Preparedness for Wildfire Smoke see Let’s Clear the Air: Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke YouTube video. "This educational video gives simple steps for protecting yourself from wildfire smoke."

Alaska Interagency Coordination Center – List of Current Fires

Alaska Wildland Fire Information "This is an interagency website developed by federal and state agencies in Alaska to provide timely and accurate wildland fire information for the entire state."

Alaska Fire Science Consortium

SNAP Analysis Tools – Alaska Wildfires: See current locations and sizes of Wildfires and Explore them in the context of fire history, land cover types and more.

Wildfire Smoke - A Guide for Public Health Officials - U.S Environmental Protection Agency

Wildfire Smoke Health and Safety - Questions and Answers Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Air Quality

Wildfire Smoke Predictions (PM S.5) - UAFSMOKE Note:Fire Season Only.

UAFSMOKE Wildfire Predictions for Alaska