Air
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Maui Wildfire Data: Air
Air page text and figures are current through July 2024. For most recent data, click here.
DOH is monitoring air quality throughout the Lahaina area to confirm that debris removal, Temporary Debris Storage (TDS) Site operations, and other disturbances of fire ash—such as by high winds—do not cause unhealthy air quality. Air quality monitoring by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and DOH started before debris removal operations began. This monitoring is using proven measurement methods and follows DOH’s air quality guidelines. Similar air monitoring was conducted in Kula during the now completed debris removal operations there.
Air quality monitoring focuses on harmful substances that the wildfires left in Lahaina, especially in the ash. This ash contains substances like arsenic, other metals, and asbestos fibers. People can breathe in ash that becomes airborne. When that happens, people can also breathe in the harmful substances within the ash.
Many steps are being taken to make sure no one is exposed to unhealthy levels of these harmful substances. Soiltac® has been sprayed on the ash to keep it in place, and debris removal and TDS Site operations use various strategies—like water sprays—to control dust and keep ash out of the air. These efforts have proven effective, because monitoring conducted to date consistently shows that Lahaina’s air quality is below levels of health concern.
DOH will continue to measure air quality throughout Lahaina. DOH will also regularly update this website with the latest air quality measurements from the Lahaina area and post advisories to inform people of poor air quality.
Read more about the ongoing air sampling and health findings for Lahaina:
Read more about the air sampling that occurred in Kula:
Download sampling data that EPA collected in Lahaina and Kula in August 2023 before debris removal began:
Air | Ash and Debris | Beach Sand | Coastal Sediment | Coastal Waters | County Parks | West Maui TDS Site | Coral Reef Health | Drinking Water | Fish | Soil | Wastewater