The New York Times - How to deal with wildfire smoke

Home air quality monitors are limited in their abilities. But measuring the quality of the air outside is an effective way to predict what it may be like inside. The simplest way to do that is with this free app we’ve tested.

AirNow’s air quality readings come from direct measurements by hundreds of monitors around the US, offering air quality forecasts and real-time data.

“Really, AirNow is useful all the time, not just during wildfire season,” senior staff writer Tim Heffernan says. “You know you’ve polluted the air in your home if you’ve burned dinner or painted a room, so you’ll mitigate the issue. But you don’t always know what the air pollution outside is like, and that affects your indoor air quality, too. This app will tell you if there’s trouble in advance, and you can then take those mitigating steps.”

Measure your air quality→

• Respirator masks can provide good protection against wildfire smoke.
• If you live in an area prone to wildfires, we’ve gathered some essential tools and advice to help keep you safe.
• Live smoke tracking: This map shows where the thickest smoke is likely to be over the next several hours.
• The Air Quality Index: What it means and how to stay safe.
• Stay up to date on the latest news from the Canadian wildfires.