I .

What is OMG Wildfires?

OMG Wildfires is an innovative wildfire and air quality map that everyone can understand. Climate change is fueling larger, fiercer and more frequent wildfires. In 2023, a record number of wildfires across Canada sent thick smoke to American cities hundreds of miles away, triggering air quality alerts and health warnings to more than 100 million people. OMG Wildfires addresses the urgent need for engaging resources that spark conversations about wildfires and air quality issues.

How bad is wildfire smoke for your health?

Wildfire smoke can be quite harmful to your health, especially if you're exposed to it for long periods. The danger comes from tiny particles called "fine particulate matter" or PM2.5, which are so small they can get deep into your lungs and even enter your bloodstream.

Some people are at higher risk from wildfire smoke, including those with heart or lung diseases, older adults, children under 18, pregnant women, and people who work outdoors. Wildfire smoke can increase the risk of both heart and breathing problems, and the more smoke in the air, the higher the risk.

Disclaimer

This map is intended for educational and awareness purposes only. It should not be relied upon for making fire safety decisions. Always follow the guidance of local authorities and emergency services.

When will the data be updated next?

Data will be refreshed next in calculating....

Who created OMG Wildfires?

Hi, I'm Amrit. You can find me at @amrit_sharma on Twitter. Right now, I'm probably sitting in a Toronto coffee shop, ignoring the book in my hand while chatting with people at nearby tables. I am passionate about make air quality, wildfire and climate change data accessible for everybody.

What do the 🔥 emojis really mean?

NASA's satellites are zooming around Earth day and night, with special sensors onboard to spot fires. The fire emojis on OMG Wildfires mark areas where NASA's VIIRS satellites have detected fires with either nominal or high confidence. The satellites have a 375-meter resolution which means the fire emojis on OMG Wildfires map give a reliable indication of fire presence, though not the precise location. This data on OMG Wildfires is updated daily.

What do the ❤️ and 💩 emojis really mean?

The heart emoji means the air quality is good (AQI ≤ 50), while the poop emoji means the air quality does not meet the US Environmental Protection Agency's standard for "clean air". This data on OMG Wildfires is updated daily through AirNow.

What is AirNow?

Air quality data for OMG Wildfires is accessed through AirNow, a partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NOAA, National Park Service, and other agencies that provides real-time air quality information.

What do the gray streaks on the map mean? 🌀

Wildfires produce lots of smoke that travels with the wind. The gray streaks on the map show smoke levels from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The shades of gray represent three levels of smoke intensity. This data is not real-time. It shows smoke conditions from the previous day because the data is manually reviewed by experts at the NOAA to ensure accuracy.

This is great, but... I have some feedback.

I'd love to hear from you! Suggestions, complaints, feedback, and ideas are all welcome. Feel free to tweet at me or email [email protected].

Want to write about us? The Press Kit has everything you need.