Air quality and wildfire smoke: how to read the AQI

2 min read

Smoke from Florida wildfires and prescribed burns, and occasionally from fires much farther away, can affect air quality in Naples. The Air Quality Index (AQI) tells you when it's time to take care.

The AQI scale

The AQI runs from 0 to 500. The higher the number, the more pollution in the air.

• 0–50, Green (Good): air quality is satisfactory.
• 51–100, Yellow (Moderate): acceptable, though unusually sensitive people may want to limit long or heavy exertion outdoors.
• 101–150, Orange (Unhealthy for sensitive groups): people with lung or heart disease, older adults, children and teens should reduce long or heavy exertion outdoors.
• 151–200, Red (Unhealthy): everyone may begin to feel effects; sensitive groups should avoid long or heavy exertion outdoors.
• 201–300, Purple (Very unhealthy): health alert; everyone should reduce outdoor activity.
• 301+, Maroon (Hazardous): emergency conditions.

Where to check

• AirNow.gov has the official AQI by ZIP code, plus a fire and smoke map.
• Many weather apps show the AQI too.

Why smoke matters for your lungs

Wildfire smoke contains fine particles known as PM2.5, small enough to reach deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. They can trigger asthma and COPD flare-ups, and affect the heart.

Protecting yourself on smoky days

• Stay indoors with windows and doors closed.
• Run your AC on recirculate, with a good filter.
• Use a HEPA air purifier in the room where you spend the most time.
• Avoid adding to indoor pollution: no candles, frying or vacuuming without a HEPA filter.
• Reschedule outdoor exercise.
• If you must be outside, a well-fitted N95 respirator helps. Cloth and surgical masks don't filter fine smoke particles well.
• If you have asthma or COPD, keep your medicines on hand and follow your action plan.

When to get help

Contact your doctor if you have worsening cough, wheezing or shortness of breath. Call 911 for chest pain, severe breathing difficulty or confusion.

See also: Humidity, mold and indoor air and Asthma basics.