Council recognizes community partners in particulate-monitoring pilot

Council staff recognized partners in a Western North Carolina particulate-monitoring project conducted in coordination with the state Division of Air Quality. Ashley, a staff presenter, said the project placed low-cost sensors in multiple communities to complement regulatory monitors and help produce more accurate local forecasts and alerts.

Ashley called up representatives from organizations that participated and presented certificates to participants including ArtSpace Charter School, Lucas Israel, school and library partners, and several local volunteer fire departments that supported monitoring locations. She said the data inform daily air-quality forecasts and an alert system that helps residents protect their health during smoke or high-particulate events.

"We really wanted to to recognize all the participants in this project," Ashley said during the presentation. Staff said the project is being continued and extended in partnership with the Division of Air Quality and federal partners where possible.