In 2020 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) jointly developed a pilot project that significantly revamped the Fire and Smoke Map available through the EPA’s AirNow website. This newly improved map offers many enhanced features and differs substantially from other information available through AirNow in that it integrates and displays data from low-cost air quality sensors. The sensor data (from PurpleAir) is adjusted based on a correction equation developed from a dataset of PurpleAir sensors located along side air monitors across the country during both ambient and smoke-impacted conditions and additional quality assurance steps are applied. Overall, the Fire and Smoke Map saw significant usage during the historic 2020 smoke season with over 7.4 million page views within the first 3 months of the pilot effort. This pilot effort brought to light a number of challenges with incorporating multiple data sources such as data time resolution, uncertainties, and differences in the timeliness of reporting. USFS and EPA plan to improve upon lessons learned in 2020 as this pilot continues. NOTE: Although this abstract was reviewed by EPA and approved for publication, it may not necessarily reflect official Agency policy. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

Presented by Sim Larkin, USFS & Karoline Johnson Barkjohn, US EPA

For more information about the Air Sensors International Virtual Series visit:
[ Ссылка ]

свернуть