Air Quality Index

Mariposa County Smoke Related Air Quality Index (AQI)

updated 10-14-2019 0845hrs

Air Quality


Briceburg Fire

The Briceburg Fire is currently impacting Air Quality in several areas of Mariposa County. Air Quality is expected to range from good to unhealthy depending on location and wind conditions. See the links below to view monitoring and low tech sensor sites  in the area.

Mariposa moderate - expect good conditions in the afternoon and evening hours

Wawona GOOD - conditions are expected to remain in the good range

El Portal good - conditions are expected to remain in the good range

midpines good - conditions are expected to remain in the good range

coulterville good - conditions are expected to remain in the good range

You can view current air quality around Mariposa County by visiting the AirNow website and scrolling in to Mariposa on the map. You can also view the low tech sensor network of purple air sensors around the county at PurpleAir (website). These sensors are an indicator of air quality status but they are not as accurate as the emergency response monitors we use during a local fire. In side by side comparisons to our High tech monitors they read high, sometimes they are reporting significantly higher than actual conditions.

Persons with health conditions that are affected by smoke should consider relocating to a smoke free area when smoke is present.

More Information

Protect yourself and your family with these Wildfire Smoke Health Tips 

For additional information on air quality you can visit the AirNow (website)

AQI Defined
  • Use common sense. If it looks smoky outside it’s probably not a good time to go for a run. And it’s probably not a good time for your children to play outdoors.
  • If you have a heart or lung disease, if you are an older adult, or if you have children, talk with your doctor about whether, and when, you should leave the area.
  • If you decide to remain:
    • Consider staying indoors to avoid breathing the smoke particles.
    • Run your air conditioner, if you have one.
    • Keep the fresh air intake closed, and the filters clean, to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. Note: if you don’t have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed may be dangerous in extremely hot weather. In these cases, seek alternative shelters.
    • A swamp cooler will not provide this protection, and will pull in the smoky air from outside.
    • “Masks” (especially surgical masks or wet bandanas) will not protect your lungs. If the smoke is that irritating to you, the best option is to remain indoors or temporarily re-locate.