How to Read the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map
Learn what permanent monitors, temporary monitors, corrected sensors, fire icons, smoke plumes, trends, and Smoke Outlooks mean on the AirNow map.
8 min read
Tools & Technology
Tools & Technology Articles
4 articles in this category
Why Do Air Quality Apps Show Different AQI Numbers?
AirNow, PurpleAir, Google, and weather apps can disagree without a simple error. Diagnose differences in pollutant, index, location, time window, sensor correction, and modeling.
7 min read
Best Air Quality Apps and Monitoring Tools in 2026
Compare AirNow, IQAir AirVisual, and PurpleAir Map by region, platform, forecast, wildfire use, and hyperlocal coverage with our verified app finder.
8 min read
Current AQI, NowCast, Daily AQI, and Forecasts Explained
Learn the difference between current AQI, AirNow's NowCast, a final daily AQI, and an AQI forecast so you can plan without treating predictions as measurements.
8 min read
Check Your Air Quality Exposure
Use a confirmed U.S. PM2.5 AQI to create a rough population-level health-impact comparison, or open a scenario guide for a practical decision.