As the Palisades rebuilds from January’s devastating wildfires, a new map is tracking the air quality in the area.
Researchers from UCLA set up 20 monitors from Topanga State Park through Brentwood and Santa Monica to detect both large and small particles in the air.
Lead researcher, Professor Yifang Zhu, told KNX News’ Karen Adams says they'll help during the rebuilding phase.
“[They can] pick a location they really care about in their neighborhoods, and then sign up for alerts to receive information, emails from us if the sensor readings get into the unhealthy level,” she explained.
She added that their Cap Air network provides real-time data every 5 to 10 minutes.
“This is really in response to community needs…clearly, they want this real-time data so that they can use it to guide their data activity, their decisions, their behavior decisions,” she said.
Professor Zhu also said that the Cap Air network is different from weather maps.
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“Most weather apps often do a pretty good job for PM 2.5, which is the smaller particle during fires,” she said. “Those are the most important active components in the smoke.”
Caltech put up a similar network for areas affected by the Eaton fire.
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