AirNow is a collaborative effort of federal agencies that provides air quality data across the U.S. The site also has up-to-date information about the wildfires, resources, data, and interactive maps to help users learn more about particular areas and how they might be affected. There's also a free AirNow mobile app.

After the fires get under control, wind could help push some particles out of the air, as will gravity with some larger compounds. Gases and fine particles could hang around longer. In burned areas, winds or movement from the cleanup could kick up contaminated soil, putting them back in the air.