How to Check Air Quality & Wildfires on Google Maps

This guide shows you how to use Google Maps to check the current air quality index (AQI) and locate active wildfires in your area or anywhere in the world. You’ll learn how to enable the layers, read the color-coded data, and get details on individual incidents. No special apps or accounts are needed—just the Google Maps app on your phone or a web browser.

What You’ll Need

A device with internet access (smartphone, tablet, or computer).
The Google Maps app (on mobile) or a web browser (on desktop). The app is free from the App Store or Google Play.
Location services enabled (optional, but helps center the map on your area).

Step-by-Step

Open Google Maps – Launch the app on your phone or go to maps.google.com in your browser.
Tap or click the layers icon – On mobile, it’s the diamond-shaped icon with a square behind it, usually at the top right. On desktop, it’s the same icon at the top left. This opens the “Layers” menu.
Select “Air quality” or “Wildfires” – Under the “Map details” section, you’ll see several toggles. Tap “Air quality” to show AQI data, or “Wildfires” to show fire perimeters and heat spots. You can enable both at once.
Wait for the map to update – After you tap a layer, the map will reload. The air quality layer shows colored dots or an overlay across the map. The wildfire layer shows red fire icons and orange/red shaded areas.
Read the air quality colors – The AQI scale is color-coded: green (0–50, good), yellow (51–100, moderate), orange (101–150, unhealthy for sensitive groups), red (151–200, unhealthy), purple (201–300, very unhealthy), and maroon (301+, hazardous). Tap or hover over a dot to see the exact AQI number and category.
Check wildfire details – Tap a fire icon to see the name, size, containment percentage (if available), and the last update time. On desktop, you may also see a list of fires in the left panel.
Zoom in for more precision – Air quality data is often based on monitoring stations, so zooming in may show more dots or a more detailed overlay. For wildfires, zooming in shows the perimeter more clearly.
Use the search bar – Type a city or address to quickly jump to that area and see its AQI or nearby fires.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to enable the layer – The layers are off by default. You must manually turn on “Air quality” or “Wildfires” each time you open Maps.
Misreading the AQI scale – A yellow dot (moderate) is not “good.” Always check the numeric value, not just the color.
Assuming the data is real-time – The AQI and wildfire data are updated periodically, not every second. Check the timestamp on the data point.
Using the wrong app version – The air quality layer is not available in all regions or on older versions of the app. Update your app if you don’t see the option.
Confusing fire icons with other markers – Fire icons are red and look like a flame. Other red markers (like traffic incidents) are different shapes.

Tips

Combine layers for a full picture – Enable both “Air quality” and “Wildfires” to see how smoke from a fire might be affecting air quality downwind.
Use the “Explore” tab on mobile – On the Google Maps app, you can also swipe up on the bottom panel to see a list of nearby fires and air quality readings.
Bookmark the layers – On desktop, you can save a link with the layers enabled by copying the URL after you’ve turned them on.
Check the data source – Google Maps pulls AQI data from official monitoring stations (like the EPA in the US) and other sources. The timestamp tells you how fresh it is.
Use it for travel planning – Before a road trip or hike, check the map along your route to avoid smoky areas or poor air quality.

Troubleshooting

Air quality layer is missing – This feature may not be available in your country or region. Try updating the app, or use a different device. If you’re on desktop, try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge).
No data appears after enabling the layer – Zoom out. The dots may be sparse if you’re zoomed in too far. Also, check your internet connection and refresh the page.
Wildfire layer shows nothing – There may be no active fires in the visible area. Zoom out to a wider region or search for a known fire location.
Data seems outdated – Google Maps updates these layers periodically. If you see a timestamp that’s hours old, wait a bit or check the official source (e.g., AirNow.gov for the US) for more current data.
The app is slow or crashes – Close other apps, restart your device, or clear the Google Maps cache (in app settings).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the air quality layer available on Google Maps for all countries?
A: No, it’s available in many countries, but not all. Google has rolled it out gradually. If you don’t see it, it may not be supported in your region yet.

Q: How often is the air quality data updated?
A: Google Maps typically updates AQI data every hour or so, but it depends on the data source. Wildfire data is updated more frequently, often every few minutes when active.

Q: Can I see air quality on Google Maps on my computer?
A: Yes, the web version of Google Maps supports both the air quality and wildfire layers. Just click the layers icon at the top left.

Q: What does the color purple mean on the air quality layer?
A: Purple indicates an AQI of 201–300, which is “very unhealthy.” Everyone should avoid outdoor exertion, and sensitive groups should stay indoors.

Q: Can I see the exact size of a wildfire on Google Maps?
A: Yes, tapping a fire icon shows details like the name, size (in acres), containment percentage, and last update time, if that information is available from the data source.

Q: Does Google Maps show smoke plumes?
A: The wildfire layer shows fire perimeters and heat spots, but not smoke plumes. For smoke forecasts, use a dedicated service like AirNow or Fire and Smoke Map.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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