Wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke is a changing mixture of gases and airborne particles released when vegetation and other materials burn. Its composition depends on the fuel, fire conditions, and atmospheric chemistry.

Combustion: A chemical reaction in which a fuel reacts with an oxidizer, releasing heat and often light. Incomplete combustion in wildfires produces many of smoke’s gases and particles.
Air quality index: A public reporting scale that communicates how polluted outdoor air is and what health risks it may pose. Air quality indices translate measured smoke pollution into public-facing risk categories.
Respiratory health: The condition and functioning of the organs and airways involved in breathing. Inhaled smoke can irritate airways and worsen respiratory illness.
2019–2020 Australian bushfire season: A severe Australian fire season marked by extensive burning and smoke pollution in 2019 and 2020. Its smoke spread far beyond the fires and reached the stratosphere.
Particulate matter: A mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in air, classified by particle size. Fine particulate matter is a major component of wildfire smoke and a key health hazard.
PM2.5: Airborne particles with aerodynamic diameters no greater than 2.5 micrometers. PM2.5 is commonly monitored to track the fine-particle pollution in wildfire smoke.
Cardiovascular disease: A group of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels. Fine-particle exposure from smoke is associated with cardiovascular harms.
2018 Camp Fire: A destructive wildfire in California that burned in November 2018 and devastated the town of Paradise. The fire produced hazardous smoke affecting nearby communities and distant regions.
Pyrolysis: The thermal decomposition of materials in the absence of sufficient oxygen for complete combustion. Heating vegetation releases gases and vapors that can become smoke or ignite.
Satellite remote sensing: The collection of information about Earth from sensors carried by satellites. Satellite observations can reveal smoke plumes across areas beyond ground-monitoring networks.

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