Hazard Mapping System Fire and Smoke Product (HMS)

The Hazard Mapping System (HMS) Fire and Smoke Product is a valuable tool for monitoring and predicting the behavior of fires and smoke. The continental United States is monitored 24 hours a day, year round by polar and geostationary satellites that provide near real-time data on fire location, intensity, and extent as well as smoke analysis results based on visual classification of plumes. The system displays active fire detections and smoke information for each 24 hour period, starting with the earliest observations of the day, on a fresh map of North America. This information is essential for assessing the impacts of fires on air quality, public health, and the environment.