Wildfire Smoke Is More Dangerous Than You Realise

Wildfire smoke poses a far greater health risk than many realise, often surpassing the dangers of even traffic-related pollution. Unlike other sources of smoke, wildfire smoke is an unpredictable cocktail of toxic gases, particulate matter (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carcinogenic chemicals. This complexity arises because wildfire burn not only natural biomass like trees and bushes but also man-made materials such as vehicles and buildings.

The result is an extremely hazardous mix of pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals, which can cause oxidative stress, respiratory damage, and even cancer. The unique composition of PM2.5 in wildfire smoke makes it far more harmful than particles from other sources, as it contains higher levels of free radicals and toxic coatings that penetrate deep into lung tissue.

What makes wildfire smoke even more dangerous is its ability to travel thousands of miles, crossing continents and impacting air quality far from the fire’s origin. Wind patterns can carry this toxic smoke across cities and countries, making even distant populations vulnerable to poor air quality and related health issues.

Unlike short-term exposure to other types of smoke, wildfire events often last for days or even weeks, prolonging exposure to dangerous pollutants. This persistent threat underscores the importance of monitoring air quality and taking proactive steps to protect public health, especially as wildfire continue to rise in frequency and intensity due to climate change.

Read more on just how dangerous wildfire smoke can be here

Air Quality Monitors for Wildfire Smoke

Both the AirGradient ONE and Open Air are designed to monitor wildfire smoke and support features such as correction algorithms like the EPA-algorithm designed specifically for wildfire smoke.

Particulate Matter (PM)

PM are fine particles suspended in the air. During wildfire, particulate matter mostly originates from combustion and can be extremely toxic. Particulate matter, especially PM2.5 and PM1.0, can pose severe health risks and can enter the bloodstream.

CO2

CO2 is carbon dioxide, a natural gas present in the air. However, since humans also emit carbon dioxide, it can build up in enclosed spaces and cause headaches, drowsiness, and more. Monitoring carbon dioxide during wildfire is important for identifying when ventilation is needed.

TVOCs, NOx

Wildfires smoke contains high levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as benzene, formaldehyde, toluene and more. All of these are harmful in high concentrations. AirGradient monitors also measure relative NOx (nitrogen oxides) which are prevalent during wildfire.

Temperature and Humidity

Both temperature and humidity can impact how wildfire smoke acts. If temperatures drop, smoke will stick closer to the ground and worsen pollution levels. Dry air also allows for particles to stay airborne for longer, making these both important factors for measuring air pollution from wildfire.

AirGradient ONE

AirGradient ONE

Indoor Monitor

Keeping an eye on your indoor air quality during the wildfire season is key for assessing how well your preventative measures are working. With an indoor air quality monitor, you can check how well your lockdown procedure works and if your home is properly sealed.

The AirGradient ONE monitors particulate matter, CO2, VOCs, NOX, temperature and humidity, meaning it can provide a well-rounded picture of your indoor air quality.

The AirGradient ONE has an OLED screen which allows you to view pollutant levels at a glance. However, it also comes with free dashboard access, which allows you to view trends in pollutant levels and assess long-term changes in air quality levels.

This indoor air quality monitor is an inexpensive way to ensure the air inside your home is clean both during the wildfire season and at other times of the year.

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Outdoor Monitor

AirGradient Open Air

Outdoor Monitor

While there are many air quality maps available, none of them provide the same hyper-local information as having your own monitor. Equipped with an outdoor air quality monitor, you will be able to know your exact air quality levels and take measures to protect your health during times of wildfire smoke.

The AirGradient Open Air measures particulate matter, CO2, VOCs, NOX, temperature, and humidity, and it does this in a weather-proof enclosure that allows it to operate even in times of extreme ash and air pollution.

This device will allow you to rapidly identify changes in air quality such as when the wind changes direction hours before these changes are reflected in most air quality maps. This allows you to make informed decisions about when to go outside and when you should stay home.

The AirGradient Open Air comes with free dashboard access allowing you to identify trends in pollutant levels. It’s also one of the most affordable outdoor air quality monitors on the market.

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Better as a Pair

The Although both indoor and outdoor air quality monitors can operate independently, they perform better as a pair for a few key reasons.

  • Know if your lockdown methods are working. If you have both an indoor and an outdoor monitor during times of wildfire smoke, you can easily identify if your lockdown methods are working by viewing the difference in outdoor and indoor pollutant concentrations.
  • Know when to stay home. With both indoor and outdoor air quality information, you can make informed decisions about whether it’s safer to stay home, or go out.

The AirGradient dashboard also has tools that allow you to compare measurements from both indoor and outdoor monitors at a glance. This makes it easy to see long-term trends and to know how much cleaner the air in your home is compared to outside.

Reduction Illustrating Graph

Born Out of a Need for Better Wildfire Smoke Monitoring

AirGradient monitors with Home Assistant



AirGradient was created after our founders were personally impacted by the severe fires in Northern Thailand during 2019. Since then, we’ve placed many monitors all around Thailand which are exposed to crop burning annually.

We also now have hundreds of monitors in wildfire prone areas such as Thailand, California and Australia, and we are constantly working on improvements for our monitors to continuously improve accuracy and performance.

A Mixture of Pollutants Requires a Range of Sensors


Wildfire smoke is a cocktail of different pollutants, and this makes it extremely important to measure a range of common pollutants. While many monitors measure particulate matter, both AirGradient monitors also measure VOCs, CO2, and NOx - all of which are emitted by wildfire

These pollutants are often harder to identify than particulate matter as they’re invisible to the naked eye. However, they’re common during wildfire and often overlooked. Having a monitor that also tracks these pollutants will give you more valuable insight into your overall air quality and allow you to make informed decisions.

It’s also this mixture of pollutants that makes wildfire smoke so dangerous - both with short and long-term exposures.

Data-Driven Decision-Making During Wildfires

PM Data Graph


AirGradient monitors provide real-time alerts, keeping you informed of any sudden changes in air quality so you can act quickly to reduce exposure. By using personalized data, you can fine-tune your air filtration strategies and plan outdoor activities during safer periods. Unlike generalized public air quality reports, AirGradient’s hyper-local data gives you precise, up-to-the-minute readings tailored to your exact location. This ensures you’re making informed decisions based on the air quality right where you live or work.

Help Your Community

By making your air quality data public on platforms like OpenAQ and the AirGradient Map, you can contribute valuable insights that help researchers, policymakers, and your neighbours understand local pollution trends.

Sharing your data can foster greater awareness and drive collective action to improve community health. With AirGradient’s open-source design and free API, you’re not limited to pre-set features - you have complete freedom to customize your device, integrate it into your own projects, or even build your own dashboards. Whether you want to contribute to global datasets or create personal air quality solutions, AirGradient puts the power of clean air monitoring entirely in your hands.

Cost-effective and Reliable


AirGradient monitors offer professional-grade accuracy at an affordable price, making high-quality air monitoring accessible to more households. Built to withstand harsh conditions like heavy ash and pollutants, they are designed for long-term reliability, even during intense wildfire seasons.

  • Affordable Air Quality Monitoring: High accuracy at a fraction of the price of many competing products.
  • Weatherproof Design: Engineered to function in extreme conditions, including wildfire smoke and ash.
  • Durable Construction: Built to last, ensuring consistent performance year after year.
  • Low Maintenance: User-replaceable parts and open-source firmware minimize upkeep costs and extend the device’s lifespan.

We Believe in Open Source

Open source logo

Our monitors are open source, meaning we make all code and changes for them public. On top of this, we also believe in open data, and support projects such as OpenAQ. Due to this, you are free to integrate your AirGradient devices into whatever platforms you prefer. We also have native integrations with Home Assistant and Homey.

Since you own all of your data, you can choose the run the monitor online through the AirGradient Dashboard, or you can choose to run cloudless. We have no lock in, and whatever happens in the future to AirGradient, your monitors will continue to work and will never be bricked.

With wildfire smoke, we believe open data with transparent explanations and reasoning is the way to go forward. With AirGradient, you can rest assured that your data is truly yours and you are free to do what you want with it.

Kit or Pre-built. The Choice Is Yours


Our air quality monitors are designed to help you stay informed and protected during wildfire season. Available as a kit or pre-built option, these monitors empower you to take control of your air quality monitoring. The kit offers a cost-effective solution and is a great way to learn about the inner workings of an open-source monitor—all with no soldering required.

Everything you need is included in the box, and with the detailed manual, you can assemble your monitor and start tracking wildfire smoke levels in under 15 minutes. If you encounter any issues, our dedicated support team and community forum are here to help.

For those who prefer a plug-and-play experience, our pre-built monitors come ready to use out of the box. Each unit includes a one-year warranty, multiple certifications, and a lab test report to guarantee professional-grade accuracy during even the most intense wildfire events.

High-Quality Components

AirGradient Open Air features
AirGradient One features


Our air quality monitors are built to provide highly accurate insights into wildfire smoke and other pollutants, using high-quality sensors from industry leaders like SenseAir, Sensirion, and Plantower. Each sensor (in pre-assembled monitors) is rigorously tested and calibrated to ensure reliable performance, even during extreme wildfire events.

The SenseAir S8 CO2 sensor, utilizing NDIR technology, features automatic baseline calibration (ABC) and delivers precise CO2 measurements - essential for understanding indoor air circulation during wildfire smoke events. Poor ventilation can lead to high CO2 levels, contributing to headaches, fatigue, and reduced cognitive performance.

For PM2.5, our monitors use the Plantower PMS5003(T) sensor, which employs laser scattering technology and has been validated in numerous studies. This sensor accurately detects fine particles, which are abundant in wildfire smoke and can trigger serious health issues like asthma attacks, respiratory distress, and cardiovascular problems.

The Sensirion SGP41 sensor tracks TVOCs and NOx - critical for monitoring harmful gases released during wildfire, such as benzene and formaldehyde. While these pollutants can also come from indoor sources like cleaning supplies, wildfire smoke significantly increases their levels. Additionally, the Sensirion SHT3x/4x sensors measure temperature and humidity to help you assess indoor comfort and reduce mould risks when windows and doors are sealed.

Our monitors have been selected for major air quality research projects, including the world’s largest classroom air quality study. We also collaborate with leading universities on wildfire-related co-location studies. You can learn more about our work with research institutions on our research page.

The ENS210 (used in the AirGradient Open Air) takes measurements inside the PMS5003T module to increase PM accuracy. Due to the heat inside the module, these readings may deviate from ambient temperature and humidity levels.

Easy to Extend

AirGradient Open Air features
AirGradient One features


Both monitor’s open-hardware / open-source nature allows easy changes and additions to the firmware and hardware. The board is powered by an ESP32-C3-MINI microcontroller that is easy to program with a wide ecosystem and has integrated WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities.

The ESP32 can be directly flashed through the USB C port, making changes in the open-source firmware easy.

For those who would like to adjust the monitor, breakout pins are available for I2C and three additional IOs. In addition, you can repurpose the two UARTs. The board provides both 5 and 3.3 volts.

We integrated an external hardware watchdog chip that automatically reboots the unit in case something goes wrong, enabling the monitor to achieve high uptimes.

AirGradient ONE Monitor

AirGradient ONE Technical Data

Below is the technical data of the newest version of the AirGradient ONE. Available in our online store.

SpecificationDescription
ModelI-9PSL (AirGradient ONE, 9th Generation)
MicrocontrollerESP32-C3-MINI (32-bit RISC-V single-core processor, up to 160MHz, 384 KB ROM, 400 KB SRAM, 8 KB SRAM in RTC, 4 MB flash in chip package)
WiFi2.4GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g/n-compliant
DisplayOLED display 1.3 inch (I2C 128x64px)
BluetoothBluetooth LE: Bluetooth 5, Bluetooth mesh
ExtensionsBroken out on PCB: I2C, 3 GPIO, 2 UART
Peripherals11 RGB-LEDs, Push Button, Reset Button, USB C Connector
External Hardware WatchdogTexas Instruments TPL5010
CO2 Sensor ModuleSenseAir S8/S88 (NDIR). 0 to 10000ppm. Accuracy: ±40 ppm ±3% of reading at 5 to 30°C, 0-85% RH (400 - 2000ppm range)
Particle Sensor ModulePlantower PMS5003 (laser scattering principle). Accuracy PM2.5: ±10%@100500μ g/m³, ±10μg/m³@0100μ g/m³
Temperature and Humidity ModuleSensirion SHT40. Accuracy: Temperature ±0.2°C; Humidity ±2% RH
TVOC/NOX ModuleSensirion SGP41. Accuracy: TVOC <±15 @ 0 to 500 VOC Index; NOX <±50 @ 0 - 500 NOX Index
EnclosureASA Plastic, UV Resistant and Weather Proof
Cable2m USB C Cable including Data Lines for Flashing
Power Plug (not included)

2A 5V USB A Power Plug is Required

Dimensions & Weight130 x 130 x 35mm, 350 grams
CertificationsCE, RoHS, REACH, RESET Air, FCC ID: 2AC7Z-ESPC3MINI
AirGradient Open Air Monitor

AirGradient Open Air Technical Data

Below is the technical data of the default version of the Open Air as it is available in our online store.

SpecificationDescription
ModelO-1PST (AirGradient Open Air)
MicrocontrollerESP32-C3-MINI (32-bit RISC-V single-core processor, up to 160MHz, 384 KB ROM, 400 KB SRAM, 8 KB SRAM in RTC, 4 MB flash in chip package)
WiFi2.4GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g/n-compliant
BluetoothBluetooth LE: Bluetooth 5, Bluetooth mesh
ExtensionsBroken out on PCB: I2C, 3 GPIO, 2 UART
PeripheralsStatus LED, Push Button, USB C Connector
External Hardware WatchdogTexas Instruments TPL5010
Particle Sensor ModulePlantower PMS5003T (laser scattering principle). Accuracy Accuracy PM2.5: ±10%@100500μ g/m³, ±10μg/m³@0100μ g/m³
Temperature and HumidityENS210 (inside PMS5003T module). Accuracy: Temperature ±0.2°C; Humidity ±3.5%
CO2 Sensor ModuleSenseAir S8/S88 (NDIR). 0 to 10000ppm. Accuracy: ±40 ppm ±3% of reading at 5 to 30°C, 0-85% RH (400 - 2000ppm range)
TVOC/NOX ModuleSensirion SGP41. Accuracy: TVOC <±15 @ 0 to 500 VOC Index; NOX <±50 @ 0 - 500 NOX Index
EnclosureASA Plastic, UV Resistant and Weather Proof
Mounting OptionsWall or pole mounting options
Cable4m USB C Cable including Data Lines for Flashing
Power Plug (not included)

2A 5V USB A Power Plug is Required

CertificationsCE, RoHS, REACH, FCC ID: 2AC7Z-ESPC3MINI

The AirGradient Manifesto

This manifesto reflects our core values and the principles we stand for:

Positive Disruptor

We must be bold. We always follow our convictions and call out the issues that matter, sharing our views on topics surrounding air quality and environmental responsibility. We will not compromise for profit. We believe that open, informed, and candid discussions are the catalysts for meaningful change. We will lead by example and become a driving force for environmental monitoring.

Responsible Products

We will deliver benefits for both people and the planet. This is why we prioritise creating high-quality air quality monitors with designs that enable easy repairs and recycling, thereby extending the product’s lifespan and reducing its environmental footprint.

Open Science and Research

Our research is driven by a commitment to environmental protection, not by profits. This is why we don’t patent our air quality monitor designs but on the contrary, share them openly, allowing everyone to build them and to contribute to positive change. We do not lock users into proprietary eco-systems and we encourage sharing of air quality data and algorithms as a public good.

Community Building

We want to raise awareness about air pollution through active community building with a strong focus on informing about the dangers of air pollution. We actively support environmental justice organisations and educational institutions in their missions to provide healthier environments for everyone.

Profit Follows Impact

To deliver positive impacts on the communities, and the environment, we must sustain our business model. However we will not prioritise profits above our convictions. We embed this rationale into our everyday decision-making processes throughout all layers of our company. (e.g. by joining 1% for the Planet).

Transparency and Accessibility

AirGradient is built on a foundation of openness and inclusivity. We aim to make our products and services available to a wide range of users with a special focus on underrepresented communities. We strive to work with all organisations that want to make a positive contribution independent of their financial means.

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