Data

The near-surface smoke forecast data is sourced from the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model developed by NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory. Each HRRR model run produces outputs containing forecasts of atmospheric conditions, including near-surface smoke forecasts. HRRR model runs are hourly-updated and published on NOAA Operational Model Archive and Distribution System (NOMADS) server. Each of these model runs consists of 19 forecast files in GRIB2 format, with each file representing a specific forecast hour extending into the future.

Active fire data are sourced from National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) web services. Other additional layers include the major hospitals in Maryland and Fresenius Clinics in the entire CONUS, both are sourced from UMD's School of Public Health.