How Do We Know if Smoke is A Problem in Our Community?

If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions, then you may have a smoke problem in your community.

• Is residential wood heating used to any great extent in the community?
• Is the community in a valley?
• Does the community experience temperature inversions (weather conditions that prevent dispersion of smoke)?
• Is there a local Air Quality Index in place? If so, is it providing worrisome air quality information?
• Has the local health department expressed concerned about possible health impacts from wood smoke?
• Do citizens complain about wood smoke?

To determine how serious a challenge your community may face from wood smoke, you will need some baseline information about current practices and the state of air quality. This information will help you decide what programs you'll need, as well as help you measure changes in air quality after you launch your clean air program. It is also useful information to share with the public as part of any awareness and communications programs. You can gather baseline information from public surveys or air quality emissions inventories.