![Fire and Smoke map showing wildfires across Canada with concentrations of smoke blowing both west and north of the fire spots](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-11/Screenshot%202025-11-10%20102926.png?itok=x0GkR6ms) # Map Monday: The Fire and Smoke Map **Map**: Fire and Smoke Forecast by The Weather Network **Geographic Area**: United States and Canada **Goal**: To identify the location of current wildfires and forecast the movement of smoke plumes and their associated PM2.5 density. **Datasets**: Environment and Climate Change Canada November 10, 2025 Melissa Berlin Air quality in most parts of the United States has drastically [improved since the passage of the Clean Air Act](https://aqli.epic.uchicago.edu/files/US-FactSheet_2024.pdf) in 1970. However, with [intensifying wildfire seasons in recent years](https://www.wri.org/insights/global-trends-forest-fires), it is critical to share information about smoke exposure to the public. Wildfire smoke is now one of the most significant sources of poor air quality, and research suggests this is [stalling or even reversing air quality improvements](https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/wildfire-smoke-nationwide-health-risk-2023) in North America. Smoke consists of particulate matter (PM), especially PM2.5, which is one of the tiniest particles of unhealthy materials that enters into people’s lungs; [PM2.5 is so small that it can travel into the bloodstream](https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/wildfire-smoke-terrible-your-health) and throughout the body. This introduces a host of health risks, especially for those with preexisting health conditions, such as asthma, or who are overexposed, such as wildfire firefighters. A booming interest in air quality data has helped patch together a vast network of air quality sensors across the country. However, air quality sensors don’t always tell the full story. Often, they are stationary and only able to collect data on air quality at the exact site of the monitor. Additionally, if a sensor network doesn’t have a density of sites or collects data infrequently, then there will be gaps in the information. For most people, information about local air quality is most easily accessed through weather apps, which will often include ratings for air quality along with temperature and other meteorological data. Additionally, two of the most common public-facing sources are the [Air Quality Index](https://www.weather.gov/safety/airquality-aqindex) (United States) or the [Air Quality Health Index](https://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/index_e.html) (Canada). So, as wildfires in Western Canada this past June sent smoke as far east as Boston, The Weather Network, a Canadian weather company, released the [Fire and Smoke Map](https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/maps/fire-smoke) to address that gap and provide both up-to-date and forecasted smoke coverage and air pollution. “Wildfire smoke has always been a problem for areas adjacent to the boreal forest,” said Chris Scott, chief meteorologist at The Weather Network’s parent company, Pelmorex, “but especially in the last 10 years, and particularly the last two years, it's become part of the consciousness for most North Americans.” Scott explained Pelmorex’s goal of visualizing data in a way that would be actionable for everyone: “Smoke doesn't just pop up — there’s a source, you can see it, the winds direct it, and you can see where it goes." By mapping out this process, from source to both actual and predictable movement, the Fire and Smoke Map provides valuable, practical information in a familiar format. ![Fire and Smoke map showing wildfires across Canada with concentrations of smoke blowing both west and north of the fire spots](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/2025-11/Screenshot%202025-11-10%20102926.png) The map uses data from[ Environment and Climate Change Canada](https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change.html), the government’s lead department for environmental issues. This data is then visualized, integrating satellite-detected fire locations with atmospheric models of smoke and weather. “The smoke and particulates rise to a certain level in the atmosphere, and then the atmospheric science kicks in—it becomes like a tracer, like a rubber ducky in the river,” said Scott “You track these smoke particles as they move within the weather patterns.” The visualization is intuitive and simple, similar to a weather map showing a storm based on Doppler radar. The bare bones features identify active fires with a small fire icon, which includes containment information upon clicking; clicking elsewhere on the map shows concentrations of PM2.5 in micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter of air (µg/m³). The most compelling feature is PM2.5 density indicated with a vibrant and easy to understand color-gradient; the closer to black, the more smoke. Users can click the play button at the bottom of the screen to watch a visualization of the smoke’s path over the next 48 hours. “It’s beautiful in how it shows the junk,” Scott said, “It looks like an ashtray in motion, which has a kind of power visually.” Scott explained that the Fire and Smoke Map serves a different but complementary purpose to standard reports from air quality sensors. “The \[air quality index\] is what you should use to make immediate decisions about the air quality where you are today. If you want additional context about where it’s at its worst in your region and when it might improve, that's where the map becomes very useful.” He hopes people will use the map to make decisions about their outside exposure during smoke events to protect their health, or to make well-informed decisions about industries like agriculture and transportation logistics. “If we're trying to show where smoke is coming from and moving to, the sensors can only give you a snapshot in time. This product gives you the flow, from what has happened to what’s going on in the future.” ## About the Author ### Melissa Berlin ![Headshot of Melissa Berlin](/sites/g/files/omnuum10826/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/2025-09/Melissa%20Berlin%20headshot_0.png?itok=iDebSHFK) Melissa Berlin is a Research Assistant at the Data-Smart City Solutions program at The Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University. She recently graduated with a Master's in Urban Planning from Harvard Graduate School of Design, where she focused on climate resilience and healthy cities. Melissa previously served as the Age Friendly Initiative Coordinator for the City of Boston and has also coordinated Harvard's Climate Leaders Program. She holds a BA in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Michigan and remains committed to developing climate solutions that prioritize equity, accessibility, and community resilience. See also:- [ Data Visualization ](/topics/data-visualization) - [ Disaster Management ](/topics/disaster-management) - [ Environment ](/topics/environment) - [ GIS ](/topics/gis) - [ Public Health ](/topics/public-health) - [ Public Safety ](/topics/public-safety) Share on:- [ Facebook ](#) - [ Twitter ](#) - [ Linkedin ](#)