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No single consumer app in the official tools covered here tracks wildfire smoke, dangerous heat, and drought equally well. Use the AirNow app and Fire and Smoke Map for near-real-time smoke and AQI, Weather.gov alerts plus NWS HeatRisk for immediate and seven-day heat planning, and the U.S. Drought Monitor with Drought.gov or NOAA outlooks for weekly drought status and longer-term context.
Which app should you use for each hazard?
Choose the tool according to the hazard and the decision you need to make. Smoke can change within hours, heat risk is useful for planning several days ahead, and drought develops over weeks or months.
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| Hazard | Primary tool | Update and horizon | What it tells you | Best decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfire smoke and air pollution | AirNow app and Fire and Smoke Map | Near-real-time conditions plus forecasts; check repeatedly during an event | AQI, PM2.5 conditions, monitoring locations, fires, smoke plumes and smoke outlooks where available | Whether to reduce outdoor exposure, change travel plans or create a cleaner indoor space |
| Extreme heat | Weather.gov alerts and NWS HeatRisk | Official alerts as issued; HeatRisk gives each 24-hour period up to seven days ahead | Heat watches, warnings and advisories, plus a 0–4 estimate of likely heat-related impact | When to cancel strenuous activity, check vulnerable people or seek a cooler place |
| Drought | U.S. Drought Monitor, Drought.gov and NOAA outlook information | Drought Monitor is weekly; outlooks provide monthly and seasonal context | Broad-scale drought classification, persistence and likely development | How to interpret water restrictions, fire danger and longer-term resource conditions |
These products measure different things. AQI and PM2.5 describe pollution; HeatRisk estimates the potential for heat-related health impacts; the Drought Monitor summarizes moisture and impacts across a large area. A low value in one system does not cancel a high value in another.
Track wildfire smoke with AirNow
What the AirNow app provides
The AirNow app displays current and forecast Air Quality Index (AQI) information and lets you save multiple locations. It also includes the Fire and Smoke Map, which brings together PM2.5 conditions, fires, smoke plumes and smoke outlooks when those products are available. Add your home, workplace, school or a destination so you can compare locations without repeatedly searching for them.
#1 Best Overall
- NIOSH APPROVED: For at least 95 percent filtration efficiency against certain non-oil based particles
- COMPATIBLE: With a variety of protective eyewear and hearing protection
- ADJUSTABLE NOSECLIP: Reduces potential for eyewear fogging and helps provide a custom and secure seal
- TWO-STRAP DESIGN: With welded dual point attachement that helps provide a secure fit
- APPLICATIONS: Gringing, sanding, sweeping, bagging, and other dusty operations. Metalworking, chemical processing, construction, and metal processing
AQI is the EPA’s color-coded communication system for five pollutants: particle pollution, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. During wildfire smoke, particle pollution—especially fine particles known as PM2.5—is usually the most important exposure signal, so look for the monitor or sensor reading closest to where you will actually be.
How to check smoke before going outside
- Open AirNow and select the saved location or search for the place you need.
- Read the current AQI and the forecast period, not just the color on the map.
- Open the Fire and Smoke Map to see nearby fires, the mapped smoke plume and available PM2.5 monitor or sensor observations.
- Compare the trend over several checks. Smoke can move or concentrate quickly as winds and fire behavior change.
- Use the AQI and local health guidance to decide whether to postpone outdoor exertion, shorten time outside or move activities indoors.
A smoke plume visible on a satellite-based map shows smoke in the atmosphere; it does not necessarily show the amount of pollution at breathing height. For exposure decisions, give greater weight to ground-level PM2.5 observations and AQI. A location can appear under a plume while surface air remains relatively clear, or have poor surface air that is not obvious from the plume outline.
What the AQI does—and does not—mean
AQI is a communication scale, not a guarantee that every person will have the same response. People with asthma, heart or lung disease, older adults, children and pregnant people can be more sensitive to pollution. Follow the health category and any local public-health advisory, and pay attention to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or unusual shortness of breath.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Do not treat a single sensor reading as a permanent all-clear. AirNow combines observations and forecasts, while individual sensors can be affected by placement, maintenance and local conditions. Use a pattern of readings and the official AQI for the broad public-health signal.
Rank #2
- NIOSH-APPROVED N95 for at least 95 percent filtration efficiency against certain non-oil-based particles and aerosols
- USE FOR: Sanding, drywall cutting, sweeping, sawing, woodworking, fiberglass insulating, yard work, grinding and dusting
- 3M ADVANCED ELECTROSTATIC MEDIA enhances the capture of airborne particles and allows for easy breathing
- 3M COOL FLOW VALVE helps release warm, exhaled breath from inside the respirator
- UP TO 50% EASIER BREATHING Compared to 3M 8200
Use Weather.gov alerts and HeatRisk for dangerous heat
Start with the official NWS alert
National Weather Service heat watches, warnings and advisories are the action-oriented products. They are issued by the local forecast office and should take priority when deciding whether to change plans, protect workers or check on people at higher risk. Read the alert details for the affected area, timing, expected temperatures and recommended actions.
Use HeatRisk for seven-day planning
NWS HeatRisk is a supplementary forecast that assigns a color and number from 0 through 4 to each 24-hour period, up to seven days ahead. It considers how unusual the heat is for the location, how long it is expected to last and CDC heat-health information. The scale helps answer a planning question—how likely is this period to produce meaningful health impacts—rather than simply reporting the day’s maximum temperature.
| HeatRisk value | How to use it |
|---|---|
| 0–4 color-and-number forecast | Use the displayed level as planning context for outdoor work, exercise, travel and welfare checks. The exact color meaning and recommended actions are presented with the local forecast product. |
| Up to seven days ahead | Use the longer horizon to schedule demanding activities earlier, arrange cooling locations and prepare for medication, transportation or care needs. |
| Supplementary product | It can differ slightly from a local forecast-office display. It does not replace official NWS watches, warnings or advisories. |
HeatRisk can identify a concerning period even when the forecast temperature does not look exceptional by itself: unusual heat, multiple hot days and warm nights can combine to increase strain. Conversely, an elevated-looking number should be interpreted with the local alert and your circumstances rather than used as a universal cutoff.
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A practical heat-check routine
- Check the local Weather.gov forecast and read any active heat watch, warning or advisory.
- Open the HeatRisk view for today’s 24-hour period and the next several periods.
- Move strenuous outdoor work, sports or errands to a cooler time when the forecast shows rising risk.
- Plan water, shade, cooling breaks and a way to reach air conditioning or another cooler shelter.
- Confirm that people who live alone, work outside, lack reliable cooling or take heat-sensitive medication have a check-in plan.
- Recheck the forecast as the event approaches; a seven-day planning signal is not a promise that conditions will remain unchanged.
Check drought with the U.S. Drought Monitor and Drought.gov
Understand the five Drought Monitor classes
The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly collaborative product that provides a broad summary of current drought conditions. Its five classes are:
Rank #3
- NIOSH-APPROVED N95 for at least 95 percent filtration efficiency against certain non-oil-based particles and aerosols
- 3M COOL FLOW EXHALATION VALVE helps direct exhaled air downward and allows for easy breathing
- UP TO 50% EASIER BREATHING. Compared to non-valved 3M 8200 Testing
- ADVANCED FILTER MEDIA for easy breathing
- ADJUSTABLE M-NOSECLIP helps provide a custom and secure seal
- D0 — abnormally dry: emerging dryness or a precursor to drought.
- D1 — moderate drought.
- D2 — severe drought.
- D3 — extreme drought.
- D4 — exceptional drought.
The map is designed to show the general geographic extent and intensity of drought, not a street-level, day-by-day reading. A county can contain several conditions, and local water supplies or impacts can differ from the color covering most of the county.
Use outlooks to understand what may happen next
Drought.gov and NOAA information add outlooks and impact context. They help you assess persistence and likely development over monthly or seasonal periods rather than providing an hourly status. Check them when planning agriculture, landscaping, water use, wildfire preparedness or community response.
For a decision affecting your specific address, pair the broad map with local information: water restrictions, reservoir or utility notices, fire-danger statements, agricultural extension guidance and emergency-management updates. During drought, those local directives can change what is allowed even when the weekly map has not changed class.
How the three tools differ
| Comparison point | AirNow | HeatRisk and Weather.gov | Drought Monitor and Drought.gov |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time horizon | Near-real-time and forecast-oriented; conditions can change quickly | Official alerts plus HeatRisk periods up to seven days ahead | Weekly status with monthly and seasonal outlook context |
| Primary measurement | AQI pollutants and PM2.5 observations | Forecast heat-related impact based on unusual heat, duration and health data | Broad-scale moisture and impact conditions |
| Geographic detail | Monitor and sensor locations, plus mapped fires and smoke | Gridded HeatRisk for the contiguous United States and local forecast-office alerts | Broad-scale map; local conditions require additional sources |
| Action threshold | AQI health categories and local smoke advisories | NWS watches, warnings and advisories; HeatRisk supplies planning context | Local water, fire-danger and emergency directives |
| Best use | Immediate exposure decisions | Same-day action and scheduling over the coming week | Understanding persistence, severity and longer-term planning |
The systems are complementary rather than interchangeable. HeatRisk does not measure smoke, AQI does not describe drought, and the Drought Monitor is not a forecast of tomorrow’s air quality.
Rank #4
- The 3M 9205+ Aura N95 Particulate Respirator Masks are disposable N95 particulate respirators that protect against certain non-oil particles.
- 3M 9205+ Aura N95 Particulate Respirator Masks accommodate a wide range of face shapes and sizes. The product is suitable for grinding, sanding, sweeping, bagging, and other dusty or arid tasks.
- 3M 9205+ Aura N95 Particulate Respirator Masks filter certain airborne particles such as dust & debris, smoke & smog particles, cough & sneezing debris, and other particulates.
- Using 3M's proprietary Advanced Electret Media, dust and other airborne particles are filtered and breathed without difficulty.
- The 3M 9205+ Aura N95 Particulate Respirator Mask features a comfortable top panel to prevent eyewear from fogging.
When smoke and extreme heat happen together
Overlapping hazards require a combined plan. Heat encourages people to open windows or spend time outdoors, while smoke makes those actions increase pollution exposure. The practical goal is a space that is both cool and cleaner.
Create a cool, clean-air room
- Choose an interior room where windows and doors can remain closed.
- During smoke, close windows and doors and use vehicle or building recirculate mode where available.
- Run a portable air cleaner continuously with doors and windows closed when one is available.
- Keep the room cool with air conditioning, a heat pump, fans or shades. Fans move air but do not remove smoke particles, so do not rely on a fan alone for filtration.
- If your home cannot stay both cool and acceptably clean, go to a cleaner, cooler shelter identified by local authorities or emergency managers.
Reduce outdoor exertion when both AQI and heat risk are elevated. Heavy breathing increases the amount of polluted air entering the lungs, and heat stress can develop faster during exertion. Recheck both AirNow and Weather.gov rather than assuming that improving temperature or wind has improved the other hazard.
Choose respiratory protection correctly
AirNow states: “It is important to know that cloth masks will not protect you from wildfire smoke. N95 respirator masks can provide protection from wildfire smoke.” A well-fitting N95 is the relevant option when outdoor exposure cannot be avoided. Fit matters: gaps around the nose or cheeks allow smoky air to bypass the filter. A respirator does not cool the body, replace indoor filtration or make prolonged strenuous activity safe in extreme heat.
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EPA recommends purchasing and learning to use an air sensor. Real-time indoor and outdoor readings can show whether filtration and ventilation choices are reducing exposure. Place the sensor where people spend time, follow its operating and maintenance instructions, and compare readings before and after running the cleaner or changing ventilation.
Best Value
- NIOSH APPROVED N95 - The VEVOX #9580V respirator is strictly evaluated and certified under 42 CFR Part 84 (TC-84A-5409). Regulatory compliance and product authenticity are verifiable via the official CDC/NIOSH Certified Equipment List (CEL).
- HIGH-FLOW EXHALATION VALVE - Engineered to rapidly expel exhaled breath, significantly mitigating internal heat and moisture buildup. The VEVOX N95 mask with valve ensures sustained respiratory efficiency during strenuous construction work.
- ADVANCED FILTER SYSTEM - Engineered for maximum safety, the 4-layer VEVOX filter system utilizes a high-tech electrostatic meltblown core. This disposable respirator efficiently intercepts at least 95% of airborne non-oil particulates.
- COMFORT-PLUS SEAL - The VEVOX #9580V features our specialized anatomical Comfort-Plus seal and a shape-retaining ergonomic shell. This advanced gasket creates a secure, custom-fit facial interface that prevents air leakage during extended use.
- ELASTIC-PRO HEADBANDS - The VEVOX #9580V utilizes dual Elastic-Pro headbands with ultrasonically welded attachments. This heavy-duty design ensures a secure, NIOSH-compliant seal around the back of the head and neck for a reliable, leak-free fit.
A sensor supplements official AQI data; it does not replace it. Consumer sensors vary in calibration and may not measure every pollutant represented in AQI. Use the sensor to evaluate your room and equipment, while using AirNow and local health guidance for community-wide exposure decisions.
A repeatable monitoring schedule
On a normal day
- Check Weather.gov for the local forecast and any active heat product.
- Review HeatRisk if the upcoming week includes outdoor work, travel, sports or care responsibilities.
- Look at the latest Drought Monitor map when water restrictions, fire danger or seasonal planning matter.
During wildfire smoke
- Check AirNow at least each time you plan a significant outdoor activity and again later in the day.
- Review the Fire and Smoke Map, then confirm the nearest useful PM2.5 observation.
- Keep windows closed, run available filtration and watch for local public-health instructions.
- Reassess after wind shifts, new fire activity or a change in the AQI forecast.
During a heat event
- Read the full NWS alert, including start and end times and affected locations.
- Use HeatRisk to schedule work and exercise over the next seven days.
- Check on people and pets who may not have reliable cooling, and identify a cooler place before conditions peak.
During drought
- Use the weekly Drought Monitor for the current regional classification.
- Use Drought.gov or NOAA outlook material for persistence and development.
- Check your utility, water provider and emergency-management notices for rules that apply locally.
Common mistakes and how to correct them
Relying on one all-purpose app
No single authoritative consumer app in these official sources covers all three hazards at the needed level of detail. Combining AirNow, Weather.gov/HeatRisk and Drought Monitor information is clearer than forcing one app to answer unrelated questions.
Treating a satellite plume as a ground-level reading
Satellite imagery can show atmospheric smoke without accurately indicating what people are breathing at the surface. Check PM2.5 monitors and AQI before making exposure decisions.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsUsing HeatRisk as an alert
HeatRisk is experimental and supplementary. Local NWS watches, warnings and advisories remain the authoritative warning products, even when a HeatRisk display differs slightly from a forecast-office presentation.
Expecting drought conditions to update daily
The Drought Monitor is intentionally broad-scale and weekly. A change in local water supply, a fire-danger statement or a utility restriction can occur between map releases, so monitor those local notices as well.
Assuming a mask solves a smoke-and-heat problem
Cloth masks do not protect against wildfire smoke, and an N95 only addresses inhaled particles. You still need to reduce time outdoors, filter indoor air and prevent overheating.
What to keep ready before an event
- AirNow locations saved for home, work, school and frequent destinations.
- A way to receive local NWS alerts and enough battery or connectivity to check them.
- A well-fitting N95 respirator for unavoidable outdoor exposure during smoke.
- A portable air cleaner, replacement filters and a room that can be closed off.
- Indoor and outdoor PM2.5 sensors if you want to evaluate filtration and ventilation choices.
- A cooling plan: air conditioning or heat-pump access, shades, fans and an alternate cooler shelter.
- Local water-provider, fire-danger and emergency-management contact information for drought decisions.
Use the apps as a coordinated system: AirNow answers “What is in the air now?”, Weather.gov and HeatRisk answer “How dangerous and persistent is the heat?”, and the Drought Monitor answers “How dry is the region over the longer term?” That division keeps each measurement tied to the decision it can actually support.
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