Approximating AQI
The smoke from the Caldor and Dixie fires has been with us so long now that I've worked out an approximate scale of what the AQI PM2.5 (dust and smoke) index is based on what I can see from the front porch.
Under 50 (Good): Clear skies; visibility good
50-100 (Moderate): Haze; smoke visible around the surrounding hills and mountains
100-150 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups): Hills still visible but outlines smudged
150-200 (Unhealthy): Hills mostly fading out, but Interstate 80 (500 m north) still visible
200-250 (Very Unhealthy): Hills and mountains not visible due to smoke.
>250 (Hazardous): Freeway traffic just barely visible; periodic ash falling from the sky
In the worst cases, Lisa wears her paint respirator, which is N95 but also seems to condition the air and cool it, which helps a lot. However, for the most part during the worst air quality we just stay under cover and hope that the filters we have on the air conditioner, swamp cooler, and fans are catching the worst of the smoke.
I'm so glad we have a good supply of the DemeTECH N95 face masks. A few evenings, even with not great quality air, we have sat out on the porch wearing our masks when the temperature has been mild enough just to spend time not focusing only on things close in. But not when the AQI is over around 175.
Under 50 (Good): Clear skies; visibility good
50-100 (Moderate): Haze; smoke visible around the surrounding hills and mountains
100-150 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups): Hills still visible but outlines smudged
150-200 (Unhealthy): Hills mostly fading out, but Interstate 80 (500 m north) still visible
200-250 (Very Unhealthy): Hills and mountains not visible due to smoke.
>250 (Hazardous): Freeway traffic just barely visible; periodic ash falling from the sky
In the worst cases, Lisa wears her paint respirator, which is N95 but also seems to condition the air and cool it, which helps a lot. However, for the most part during the worst air quality we just stay under cover and hope that the filters we have on the air conditioner, swamp cooler, and fans are catching the worst of the smoke.
I'm so glad we have a good supply of the DemeTECH N95 face masks. A few evenings, even with not great quality air, we have sat out on the porch wearing our masks when the temperature has been mild enough just to spend time not focusing only on things close in. But not when the AQI is over around 175.