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Jun. 15, 2021 - WA's new tool to predict wildfire smoke
6/15/2021 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
Looking to escape wildfire smoke in WA this year? A new tool could help.
Smoke forecasting is notoriously hard to do, but a new tool from the state Department of Ecology may help us anticipate hazardous air five days in the future.
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Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS
Crosscut Now
Jun. 15, 2021 - WA's new tool to predict wildfire smoke
6/15/2021 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
Smoke forecasting is notoriously hard to do, but a new tool from the state Department of Ecology may help us anticipate hazardous air five days in the future.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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If you're looking to escape wildfire smoke in Washington this year, a new tool from the State Department of Ecology could help.
Last year, the department collaborated with researchers from Wazzu to develop a two-day automated forecast.
It used machine learning to accurately predict the severity of smoke levels, two-thirds of the time.
And just in time for wildfire season, the Department of Ecology now has a five-day automated smoke forecast, which is accessible as part of the department's online smoke map.
Users can anticipate average daily air quality conditions in 53 zones across the state, each pegged to real-time air quality monitors.
Keep in mind, though, a forecast is never a guarantee, but it can be a warning sign that should warrant attention, especially from those in vulnerable populations.
I'm Starla Sampaco.
Find nonprofit Northwest news every day on crosscut.com.
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Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS