Arizona Wildfire Smoke Map
Live smoke layer and air quality index (AQI) for Arizona — see where wildfire smoke is affecting the air right now, zoom to your area, and get free smoke alerts.
How to read the AZ air quality index (AQI)
Wildfire smoke's primary health hazard is fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Here's what each AQI band means for Arizona residents.
0–50 · Good
Air quality is satisfactory; little or no risk.
51–100 · Moderate
Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged exertion.
101–150 · Unhealthy for sensitive groups
People with heart/lung disease, kids, and older adults should limit exertion.
151–200 · Unhealthy
Everyone may begin to feel effects; sensitive groups more seriously.
201–300 · Very unhealthy
Health alert — everyone may experience serious effects.
301+ · Hazardous
Emergency conditions; stay indoors with filtered air.
How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke in Arizona
Stay indoors and seal up
Close windows and doors, and run your AC or HVAC on recirculate so you're not pulling smoke inside.
Run a HEPA air purifier
A true-HEPA purifier sized to the room dramatically cuts indoor fine particulate (PM2.5) — the part of smoke that harms lungs.
Make a DIY box-fan filter
A box fan with a MERV-13 furnace filter taped to the back is a cheap, effective backup when purifiers sell out during a smoke event.
Mask up outdoors with an N95
Cloth and surgical masks don't stop PM2.5. A well-fitted N95 or P100 does. Limit time and exertion outside when AQI is elevated.
Watch sensitive groups carefully
Kids, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with asthma, COPD, or heart disease are most vulnerable — keep medications handy and follow AirNow guidance.
Wildfire smoke in Arizona
Arizona has a well-documented wildfire history that shapes its smoke season. Arizona's high country — Flagstaff, Prescott, the Mogollon Rim — faces severe forest fire risk amid prolonged drought. During periods of active fire, smoke can push AQI into the unhealthy range across large portions of the state — sometimes persisting for days if weather patterns stagnate. Even areas far from the flames may experience hazy skies, reduced visibility, and elevated PM2.5. During fire season, checking the AQI daily and watching for smoke advisories from your local air district is a good habit for all Arizona residents.
The map above layers live smoke opacity from NOAA HMS satellite detections over real-time AQI station readings, so you can see both where the smoke plumes are traveling and what the air quality is at the surface. Use the "Locate me" button to center the map on your location and check conditions in your neighborhood.
A wildfire won’t knock. We will.
By the time you can smell the smoke, your neighbors may already be packing. Get the head start — FireRisk watches your exact address against the same official government feeds the pros use and emails you the moment something changes. 100% free.
- ⚡An alert when a new wildfire is reported near your home — straight from NIFC, often before the local news.
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Arizona wildfire smoke FAQ
Why is there wildfire smoke in Arizona right now?
Wildfire smoke travels with prevailing winds at high altitude, often hundreds or thousands of miles from the fire that produced it. Arizona can experience smoke from fires burning within the state, in neighboring states, or even from Canadian wildfires far to the north. The smoke layer on the map above shows where the air is actually affected, while the fire layer shows the source fires.
How do I check the air quality index (AQI) in Arizona?
The map on this page shows live AQI readings across Arizona — toggle the AQI layer to see color-coded readings by location. For official station readings and health guidance, also check AirNow.gov and your local Arizona air quality district. AQI above 100 is unhealthy for sensitive groups; above 150 is unhealthy for everyone.
How do I protect myself from wildfire smoke in Arizona?
Stay indoors with windows closed and your HVAC on recirculate mode. Run a true-HEPA air purifier or build a DIY box-fan filter with a MERV-13 furnace filter. If you must go outside, wear a well-fitted N95 or P100 respirator and limit strenuous activity. People with asthma, COPD, or heart conditions, as well as children and older adults, should take extra precautions.
Does smoke from Arizona wildfires affect neighboring states?
Yes — smoke from Arizona wildfires regularly drifts into neighboring states depending on wind direction, and conversely, Arizona receives smoke from fires burning in adjacent states. During large fire events, smoke plumes can reach air quality stations thousands of miles away. The national smoke map at /wildfire-smoke-map shows the full continental picture.
How often is the Arizona smoke map updated?
The smoke overlay, AQI data, and active fire perimeters refresh from official agency feeds each time you load the map. For the most current station-level readings, cross-reference with AirNow.gov. During rapidly moving smoke events, AQI can change significantly in under an hour, so check back frequently.
More Arizona fire & air quality tools
FireRisk.ai is for awareness, not emergency guidance, and the health tips here are general information — not medical advice. If you have a heart or lung condition, are pregnant, elderly, or caring for children, consult your doctor and follow AirNow.gov guidance. For official air-quality readings, use AirNow.gov and your local Arizona air district; for evacuations and emergencies, follow local authorities and call 911.