US Forest Service Air Quality Images

Real Time Images

The Real Time Images section features live images and current air quality conditions from Forest Service monitoring locations throughout the United States. Digital images from Web-based cameras are updated every 15 to 60 minutes. Near real-time air quality data and meteorological data are also provided to distinguish natural from human-made causes of poor visibility and to provide current air pollution levels to the public.

Images will appear black during the nighttime hours. If the image is missing, please be patient and try again later. Real-time images are archived every 24 hours. To view archived 9 AM, 12 PM or 3 PM images, use the navigation bar above to access the drop-down Image Library or Library Search menus.

Site Descriptions

Agua Tibia East, CA

The Red Mountain real-time pan/tilt digital camera system was installed southeast of Hemet, California, in September 2003. In August 2007, a third view to the southwest was established to view Agua Tibia Wilderness from the East. The Agua Tibia East view includes Agua Tibia Mountain and the Agua Tibia Wilderness, ~28 kilometers in the distance. Supporting non-reference ozone, nitrogen oxide, particulate monitors and meteorology equipment are scheduled for installation by summer 2010.

Bitterroot Valley, MT

The Selway-Bitterroot real-time digital camera system was installed outside of the Stevensville Ranger Station, Montana, in May 2002. The camera views Crown Point, 11.0 kilometers to the Northwest. A TEOM-PM₁₀ particulate sampler is also operational; however, no data are transmitted for public viewing at this time. Associated meteorological data are collected from the Stevensville, Montana RAWS station.

Boundary Waters, MN

The Boundary Waters real-time digital camera system was installed in December 2005. Supporters include the US Forest Service in cooperation with the Central States Air Resource Agencies (CenSARA). The monitoring site is located on the Superior National Forest, approximately 3 kilometers East of Triangle Lake, as well as views to the Northwest. An ozone monitor, aerosol sampler and associated meteorological equipment are also located at the site.

Bridger Wilderness, WY

The Bridger real-time digital camera system was installed at the top of the White Pine Ski Area in October 2006. The site is located approximately 15 kilometers northeast of Pinedale, Wyoming and views Mount Bonneville, 36 kilometers to the east-southeast. Supporters include the US Forest Service, in cooperation with the Shell Exploration and Production Company and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.

Columbia River Gorge – Wishram, WA

The Columbia River Gorge real-time digital camera system was installed on the northern bank of the Columbia River (Washington), slightly east of the Dalles Dam, in March 2001. The camera views Mount Hood, 63.0 kilometers to the Southwest. An aerosol sampler is the only air quality instrument currently remaining at the site. Meteorological data are obtained from the NOAA weather station, located at Pearson Air Field in Washington.

Cucamonga, CA

The Cucamonga digital camera system was installed near the Mt. Wilson Observatory in September 2001. Web-based real-time monitoring began in 2008. The camera views San Gorgonio Mountain ~115 kilometers to the East. Associated ozone data are collected from the South Coast Air Quality Management District - Crestline air quality station. Meteorological data are obtained from the NOAA weather station, located at the Mount Wilson Observatory.

Cucamonga South, CA

The Red Mountain real-time pan/tilt digital camera system was installed southeast of Hemet, California in September 2003. The camera pans to the North-Northwest to view Diamond Valley Lake and the Cucamonga Wilderness, ~105 kilometers in the distance. Supporting non-reference ozone, nitrogen oxide, and particulate monitors, as well as meteorological equipment are scheduled for installation by summer 2010.

Dolly Sods, WV

The Dolly Sods Web camera system was installed in the Bearden Knob air quality monitoring compound in November 2003. The camera views the Canaan Valley and Mt. Port Crayon, 21 kilometers to the South. An aerosol sampler, ozone monitor and associated meteorological equipment are also located at the site.

Gates of the Mountains, MT

The Gates of the Mountains digital camera system was installed on Hogback Ridge Southeast of Wolf, Montana, in June 2001. Web-based real-time monitoring is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2010. The camera overlooks the Helena Valley and views the Continental Divide and Flint Creek Range in the distance. Gates of the Mountains Wilderness is located north of the view shown. An aerosol sampler is also located at the site; however, no air quality or meteorological data are currently associated with these images.

High Schells, NV

The High Schells and White Pine Range remote dual digital camera system was installed south of Ely, Nevada in October 2009. The High Schells camera view includes Mt. Moriah and Schell Creek Range to the East. Associated meteorological data are collected from the Nevada DOT meteorology station at Murry Summit.

High Uintas, UT

The High Uintas real-time digital camera system is scheduled for installation south of Lake Fork Mountain in the spring of 2010. Similar to the original 35mm system (1987-2001), the digital web camera will view Ostler Peak, 32 kilometers to the Northwest. No air quality or meteorological data are currently associated with these images.

Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock, NC

The Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock real-time digital camera system was installed in December 2005. Supporters include the US Forest Service, in cooperation with the Southern Research Station and North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR). Images and air quality data are provided courtesy of the national forests in North Carolina and the NCDENR. The monitoring site is located Northeast of Andrews, NC and views Hangover Ridge 22 kilometers to the Northwest. Associated meteorological data are temporarily obtained from the CHON7 RAWS station.

Monture, MT

The Monture digital camera system was installed in Ovando, Montana in June 2001. Web-based real-time monitoring is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2010. The camera views the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Monture Mountain to the North. An aerosol sampler is also located ~10km northwest of the site; however, no air quality or meteorological data are currently associated with these images.

Mount Hood, OR

The Mount Hood digital camera system was installed at the Timberline Ski Area in November 2000. Web-based real-time monitoring began in 2003. The camera views Mt. Jefferson, ~70 kilometers to the South. No air quality or meteorological data are currently associated with these images. Meteorological data are obtained from the Timberline Base meteorology station.

Mount Washington, NH

The Mount Washington camera system was installed in July 2000, by the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) Regional Planning Organization. Images are primarily posted on NESCAUM’s CAMNET Web site: http://www.hazecam.net/mtwash.html

The US Forest Service began sponsoring this site with NESCAUM in August 2009. The camera is located in Conway, New Hampshire and views Mount Washington ~35 kilometers to the Northwest. This view also encompasses portions of the Great Gulf and Presidential Range-Dry River Wildernesses. An ozone monitor and particulate sampler are located at the site; however, associated climate data are collected from a meteorological station located east of the camera site in Center Conway.

Pasayten, WA

The Pasayten digital camera system was installed at the Loup Loup Ski Area in November 2000. Web-based real-time monitoring began in 2003. The camera views the Methow River Valley and Sawtooth Ridgeline to the Southwest. No air quality or meteorological data are currently associated with these images.

San Gabriel, CA

The Josephine Peak real-time pan/tilt digital camera system was installed northeast of Pasadena, California in May 2008. The camera pans to the East-Northeast to view the San Gabriel Wilderness, including Twin Peaks and Vetter Mountain, ~6 kilometers in the distance. Associated ozone data are collected from the South Coast Air Quality Management District - Crestline air quality station. Meteorological data are obtained from the NOAA weather station located at the Mount Wilson Observatory.

San Jacinto, CA

The Red Mountain real-time pan/tilt digital camera system was installed southeast of Hemet, California, in September 2003. The camera pans to the Northeast to view San Jacinto Peak (San Jacinto Wilderness) and the San Gorgonio Wilderness, ~50 kilometers in the distance. Supporting non-reference ozone, nitrogen oxide, particulate monitors and meteorology equipment are scheduled for installation by summer 2010.

Shining Rock, NC

The Shining Rock real-time digital camera system was installed in March 2000. Supporters include the US Forest Service, in cooperation with the Southern Research Station and North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR). Images and air quality data are provided courtesy of the national forests in North Carolina and the NCDENR. The monitoring site is located along the Blue Ridge Parkway and views Cold Mountain, 7.7 kilometers to the West. An aerosol sampler and ozone monitoring equipment are also located at the site. Meteorological data are obtained from the Davidson River (DARN7) RAWS site.

Upper Buffalo, AR

The Upper Buffalo real-time digital camera system was installed in November 2005. Supporters include the US Forest Service, in cooperation with the Central States Air Resource Agencies (CenSARA). The monitoring site is located along Highway 16 south of Red Star, Arkansas, and views Moonhull Mountain to the Southeast. Meteorological data are obtained from the NOAA weather station located at Fort Smith Regional Airport.

White Pine Range, NV

The White Pine Range and High Schells remote dual digital camera system was installed south of Ely, Nevada in October 2009. The White Pine Range camera views White Pine Range, including Currant Mountain ~22 kilometers to the Southwest and Mount Hamilton ~22 kilometers to the West. Associated meteorological data are collected from the Nevada DOT meteorology station at Murry Summit.

Shamrock, CO

The Shamrock NO_x and ozone air quality monitoring station was installed east of Bayfield, Colorado in February 2004. The station monitors air quality conditions for the Weminuche Wilderness and Four-Corners Region.

Monitoring instrumentation at the site includes an NO_x analyzer (Nitric Oxide–NO, Nitrogen Dioxide–NO₂, Oxides of Nitrogen- NO_x), Ozone (O₃) analyzer, and wind speed, wind direction, air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, and precipitation (meteorological) sensors. Hourly data are collected, summarized, and posted daily in the Real-Time Images section of this Web site. A digital camera system was installed southwest of the monitoring station in November 2005; images were collected until July 2009. Images of this camera view to the Southwest were archived and posted to the Image Library database.