# EPA Smoke Sense

> Citizen science app for tracking wildfire smoke exposure and health impacts. (iPhone/iPad app by Environmental Protection Agency.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/epa-smoke-sense/id1274616255 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Environmental Protection Agency](https://appshunter.io/developer/466052690)
- Category: Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.20/5 from 70 App Store ratings · 39 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 29 MB
- Languages: American English, European Spanish
- Released: 2017-10-05
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/epa-smoke-sense/id1274616255/reviews.md

## What is EPA Smoke Sense?

Hello, Smoke Sense Citizen Scientists! Starting on December 8, 2024, the Smoke Sense app will be unavailable for use.  Smoke Sense: 4.0 Level UP is under development and will have new and exciting features to help you track and prepare for wildfire smoke.  Read more about Smoke Sense Level Up and check for updates on the EPA website. We look forward to seeing you soon!

The Smoke Sense mobile app is designed to pilot a citizen science study about the impacts of wildfire smoke exposure on health. Citizen scientists can use the app to learn about wildland fires and smoke health risks in their area. They can report their health symptoms, and the range of actions they are able or willing to take to improve their health condition or lower their exposure. Users will earn badges each week they participate.

If successful, data gathered through Smoke Sense will help EPA researchers and communities determine how smoke impacts our health and productivity and gain important insights needed to develop health risk communication methods during smoke days. 

The findings from the study will be peer-reviewed for scientific publication and published on the EPA website. Public health officials and air quality managers can use the results to develop strategies to protect public health from wildland fire smoke. 

The pilot will be conducted during the 2017 wildland fire season until the end of October.  At the end of the study, the Smoke Sense app will go offline temporarily for updates.  Smoke Sense app user identities will be anonymous and non-identifiable.   

Download and learn more about the Smoke Sense App at – https://www.epa.gov/air-research/smoke-sense

## Key features

- Wildfire smoke health impact study
- Learn about local smoke risks
- Report health symptoms
- Track protective actions
- Earn participation badges
- Anonymous data collection

## Recent user reviews (10 of 39)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/epa-smoke-sense/id1274616255/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Thank you, EPA

*2024-12-17*

I appreciate being able to give feedback relative to the smoke around here! Hopefully it will contribute to research and also cause Puget Sound Clean Air agency to increase their Enforcement of wood-burning pollution

### 1/5 — Worthless

*2024-09-09*

Sorry to say this app is basically worthless.  Does not reflect the air quality it’s linked to. For example, today the air is extremely bad, low visibility, getting worse by the hour. Purple Air rates it 168 which seems right. Smoke Sense lists it 61. Pathetic.

### 1/5 — Sorry example of an app

*2024-07-28*

Has hardly ever worked for me.  Sometimes it's not displaying anything past the splash screen then it's asking for a lot. And I mean a lot.  Of preferences.

### 1/5 — Useless

*2023-08-08*

Downloaded this app to test it out as it is in guidance for air quality during wildfires. Was hopeful I could push it out to my community during a close wildfire affecting air quality. Was extremely  disappointed to find out that it doesn’t work. We have air quality alerts for our area and this app does not pick up on it. Either fix the app or get rid of it because it’s not achieving its goal of providing help to those that need it.

### 1/5 — Crashes constantly

*2023-02-19*

Map feature no longer works. Crashes whenever you try to look at the map.

### 2/5 — Maps load now but future smoke overlay is missing

*2022-08-26, version 3.3.1*

This was one of the most helpful features.  The apple and android maps now load but there is no option to choose future smoke dispersion.  The smoke plumes in now view is limited because that view does not forecast movement or show if it is at ground level.  Please fix ASAP.

### 2/5 — Great idea but…

*2022-07-26*

tabs at bottom are basically unreadable simply because the text/icons are gray on a medium blue background. Contrast, please? Black on blue maybe?

Also loading basically anything takes many... long... seconds. Call me spoiled but no other app i use does that so much.

### 1/5 — Why is the server crashing?

*2022-07-06, version 3.0.1*

Been crashed >2 weeks. We’re in the middle of fire season and need it to see smoke areas

Otherwise when it’s working rely on this app

### 5/5 — Bug fixed

*2020-09-19*

A previous reviewer reported crashes after loading. Works fine for me!

### 1/5 — Does not work.

*2020-09-16*

Upon opening the app I am asked to consent  to a study that is supposed to be voluntary but you don't get an option to opt out. I agreed and filled out the survey. Then the app crashes. Try opening again and it continues to crash. Same thing over and over. Don't download the app. Waste of time.

## Frequently asked questions about EPA Smoke Sense

### What does the Smoke Sense app do?

The Smoke Sense app is designed for a citizen science study to understand the impacts of wildfire smoke exposure on health. It allows users to learn about wildland fires and smoke health risks in their area, report their health symptoms, and document actions taken to improve their health or reduce exposure.

### What are the key features of the Smoke Sense app?

Key features include learning about wildland fires and smoke health risks, reporting personal health symptoms, tracking actions taken to mitigate exposure or improve health, and earning badges for weekly participation in the study. User identities are kept anonymous.

### Is the Smoke Sense app free to use?

Yes, the Smoke Sense app is free to download and use. The description does not mention any costs associated with using the app or any in-app purchases.

### What is the purpose of the data collected by Smoke Sense?

Data gathered through Smoke Sense helps EPA researchers and communities understand how smoke impacts health and productivity. This insight is crucial for developing effective health risk communication methods during smoke events and informing public health officials and air quality managers.

### When will the Smoke Sense app be available?

The current version of the Smoke Sense app will be unavailable starting December 8, 2024, as it is undergoing development for a new version called Smoke Sense: 4.0 Level UP. Updates and information about the new version can be found on the EPA website.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.3.7 — 2024-11-26

Minor bug fixes

### 3.3.6 — 2023-09-28

Adjusted the map and its default layers.
 
Updated frameworks and various bug fixes.

### 3.3.4 — 2022-10-25

Minor bug fixes.

### 3.3.3 — 2022-09-30

Various bug fixes and back-end improvements.

### 3.3.1 — 2022-08-18

Minor bug fixes

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All apps by Environmental Protection Agency: https://appshunter.io/developer/466052690

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*
