Why It Matters

A recent Congressional Research Service report examines federal efforts to monitor, forecast, communicate and research wildfire smoke as smoke increasingly affects communities far from where fires burn. Published Aug. 14, the report outlines federal capabilities and congressional efforts to improve smoke monitoring and forecasting as lawmakers consider whether existing resources are sufficient to protect public health.

Wildfire smoke, particularly fine particulate matter, is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular health problems. Smoke can travel thousands of miles, exposing communities far from active wildfires and complicating efforts by states to comply with federal air quality standards.

Fine particle air pollution declined 46% nationwide from 2000 to 2024, but wildfire smoke can undermine those gains. The Clean Air Act allows the Environmental Protecttion Agency (EPA) to exclude certain air quality data from regulatory decisions when states demonstrate that pollution was influenced by an "exceptional event," which can include wildfires. Such exclusions require an approved demonstration and are not automatic.

The report examines the federal government's ability to observe smoke, predict where it will travel, communicate risks to the public and conduct research to improve those capabilities.

The Big Picture

The EPA sets National Ambient Air Quality Standards under the Clean Air Act and manages AirNow, which reports air quality using monitoring data from state, local and federal agencies. NOAA generates nationwide air quality forecast guidance, while NOAA and NASA satellites collect information about fires and smoke.

Nearly 1,500 air quality monitoring sites collect information on fine particles. Federal, state, tribal and local agencies can also deploy temporary monitors and use computer modeling to estimate pollution levels where permanent monitoring stations are unavailable.

Wildfire smoke forecasting remains limited. Forecasts generally extend one to three days, making longer-range predictions difficult as changing weather conditions affect where smoke travels and how concentrated it becomes.

A congressionally created nonfederal committee recommended in 2023 developing a nationally consistent smoke monitoring and alert system, backed by investments in monitors, equipment, personnel, technology and data sharing at the Forest Service, EPA and NOAA. A 2023 Government Accountability Office report also found that improved collaboration among EPA, the Forest Service and NOAA on smoke modeling and forecasting could help state, local and tribal governments respond to wildfire smoke.

At a NOAA workshop, state and local air quality forecasters identified three priorities: reliable communication between state and local forecasters and National Weather Service offices, development of systems to track fine particle pollution from fires and other sources, and creation of a "one-stop shop" for air quality models.

Congress has also taken steps to improve federal wildfire smoke capabilities. The 119th Congress directed EPA to continue improving smoke monitoring and prediction and expand wildfire smoke monitoring in underserved or under-monitored communities. Lawmakers introduced 10 bills addressing wildfire smoke observations, forecasting, communication and research.

H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, passed the House 279-141. The measure includes provisions related to wildfire smoke monitoring and modeling. Its Senate counterpart, S. 1462, was reported by the Senate Agriculture Committee.

S. 306, the Fire Ready Nation Act, passed the Senate by unanimous consent. The bill would establish a coordinated NOAA program focused on wildfire and smoke forecasting, detection, modeling, observations and delivery of information to affected communities.

S. 3923 was also reported out of committee as of Aug. 14. Fiscal year appropriations provided funding for wildfire science and related activities across multiple federal agencies.

The Bottom Line

Federal wildfire smoke monitoring and forecasting responsibilities are spread across EPA, NOAA, NASA, the Forest Service and other agencies, creating a system that depends heavily on interagency coordination. Existing federal programs provide air quality monitoring, satellite observations, smoke forecasts and public health information, but federal reviews have identified gaps in coordination, monitoring coverage and forecasting capabilities.

Congress is considering whether to strengthen that system through expanded monitoring, improved smoke modeling, better coordination and more consistent public communication. With wildfire smoke capable of traveling thousands of miles and affecting communities well beyond the areas where fires burn, the policy question extends beyond wildfire response to how effectively the federal government can predict and communicate air quality threats before they reach the public.

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