Division of Air Quality Monitoring and Quality Assurance

Wildfire Smoke – Particulate Matter Information

Report a wildland fire in Alaska: 800-237-3633

Questions about wildfires? Call BLM Alaska Fire Service for Fairbanks area: 907-356-5511

Particulate Matter

Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gas and tiny bits of matter, called particulate matter. The following description of particulate pollution is from the Environmental Protection Agency website, EPA AirNow.

Particle pollution is a mixture of microscopic solids and liquid droplets suspended in air. This pollution, also known as particulate matter, is made up of a number of components, including acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, soil or dust particles, and allergens (such as fragments of pollen or mold spores).

The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. Small particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest problems, because they can get deep into your lungs, and some may even get into your bloodstream. Exposure to such particles can affect both your lungs and your heart. Larger particles are of less concern, although they can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat.

Small particles of concern include 'fine particles' (such as those found in smoke and haze), which are 2.5 micrometers in diameter or less; and 'coarse particles' (such as those found in wind‐blown dust), which have diameters between 2.5 and 10 micrometers.