Google Maps Adds Air Quality Index, Wildfire Layer to Mobile Apps

Google Maps has obtained a brand new function that may now present the air high quality index to customers within the United States, on each Android and iOS. Google claims this function to be confirmed useful for the customers to know the air high quality circumstances, whether or not it is smoggy, smoky, unhealthy or just fantastic within the US. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a measure of how wholesome (or unhealthy) the air is. The index will even supply steering for outside actions, when the knowledge was final up to date and hyperlinks to be taught extra. Maps additionally will get a brand new wildfire layer that may present info on energetic fires close to your location.

The search big, by way of a blog post on Wednesday, detailed new options which might be rolling out to Google Maps. These new options embody the air high quality index and a brand new wildfire layer within the Google Maps cell app. As of now, the options are solely obtainable within the US. Both options are coming to Android and iOS platforms permitting customers to test the AQI, a measure of how wholesome the air is. It will even present a steering for outside actions based mostly on the AQI. Google Maps additionally present the air high quality info from PurpleAir, which is claimed to be a low-cost sensor community that provides a extra hyperlocal view of circumstances to the customers.

The air high quality layer within the Google Maps let customers know the way wholesome the air is.
Photo Credit: Google

On the opposite hand, the air high quality layer reveals information from authorities businesses, together with the Environmental Protection Agency within the US, as per Google. Users can add the air high quality index to their map by tapping on the button within the prime proper nook of the Google Maps cell app’s display screen and deciding on the “Air Quality” possibility beneath Map particulars.

Meanwhile, for the wildfire layer in Google Maps, the corporate has partnered with the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) to supply info. Users can discover out the main points about energetic fires in close by outside areas they’re visiting within the US. Users can activate this function earlier than heading out and likewise can use Search to lookup “Wildfires Near Me” to know concerning the bigger wildfires throughout these areas.

Google Maps can also be going so as to add the smoke information throughout the US from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to their air high quality info on Google Search, within the coming months, in keeping with the corporate.​