Explore Ambee's Latest Release: Introducing Smoke Plumes API with Valuable Smoke Data Insights. Discover how our innovative technology empowers you to monitor and mitigate the impact of smoke plumes in your area. Learn more now!

1. Ambee's Latest Release:
Introducing Smoke
Plumes API
with Smoke Data Insights

2. • We have an announcement!
• Following the successful launch of our Geocoding and Natural
Disasters APIs, we’re happy to unveil the latest in our ever-
growing suite of advanced APIs.
• We’re proud to launch Smoke Plumes by Ambee.

3. What are smoke plumes?
Smoke plumes, often seen billowing into the sky during wildfires, industrial accidents, or
volcanic eruptions, are complex atmospheric phenomena that can have far-reaching
consequences. These towering columns of smoke consist of particles, gases, and aerosols,
and their formation can be attributed to a variety of natural and human-induced factors.
When a volcano erupts, it spews out molten rock, ash, and volcanic gases. The interaction
between hot volcanic materials and the atmosphere results in the formation of towering
volcanic plumes. These plumes can reach high altitudes and pose threats to aviation and
local communities.
One of the other most common sources of smoke plumes is wildfires.
These infernos ignite forests, grasslands, or shrublands, releasing copious amounts of
smoke into the atmosphere. The intense heat causes surrounding vegetation to combust,
generating not only smoke but also embers that can travel great distances.

4. Why smoke plumes?
• Smoke plumes emit a combination of harmful pollutants, including airborne
particulates, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds. Breathing in these
pollutants can lead to respiratory problems, exacerbate existing health conditions, and
pose severe health risks, especially for vulnerable populations like children and the
elderly.
•
In the USA alone, smoke-attributable deaths have reached thousands in the last few
years.
•
Which is why smoke data enhances the actionability when combined with
local wildfire and air quality data.
•
Suggested read: How Organisations Can Use Air Quality and Fire Data to Tackle Fire-
Related Issues

5. Additionally, smoke plumes drastically reduce visibility, creating hazardous driving conditions and
increasing the risk of accidents. In extreme cases, they can lead to road closures and disrupted
transportation networks.
We also cannot forget the larger and lesser acknowledged impact on the environment and the climate
as a whole.
Smoke plumes have detrimental effects on ecosystems, leaving a lasting imprint on the environment,
sometimes irreversibly. They deposit ash and pollutants over wide areas, contaminating soil, and
water sources–and harming aquatic life, vegetation, and wildlife habitats
In the bigger scheme of things, smoke plumes inject large quantities of aerosols and greenhouse
gases into the atmosphere. This can contribute to climate change in many different ways.
The resulting aerosols are known to modify cloud formation and precipitation, as well as disrupt the
Earth's radiative balance, and, in some situations, momentarily cool the globe by sunlight scattering.
What’s concerning is that wildfire-caused smoke clouds are only predicted to get worse each year.
These are pressing concerns–one that mustn’t go unaddressed. So here’s how we’re answering the
questions raised by smoke plumes

6. What is Ambee’s Smoke Plumes API?
Ambee’s Smoke Plumes API provides insight into smoke caused by wildfires and
other events at a daily refresh rate. For any particular lat long, this API will give you
information on the smoke’s density (light, medium, heavy) and its associated
integer value.
Derived from trusted sources like NOAA and a network of geostationary satellites,
Ambee’s Smoke Plumes API ensures reliable and accurate delivery.
Have a look at the documentation to understand all the response parameters and
make your first call in just a few clicks.

7. How can smoke plume data be used?
• The Smoke Plumes API, in conjunction with Air Quality, Wildfire, and many more of our
datasets, serves a wide array of applications across industries and research areas.
Here are a few of them listed below:
1. Wildfire Management and Forestry
Forestry and firefighting rely heavily on smoke plume data for early detection and
resource allocation. This data aids in assessing fire direction and intensity, improving
firefighting strategies, and protecting lives.
• 2. Air Quality and Public Health
Smoke plume data can assist municipalities and healthcare organizations in monitoring
air quality during wildfires or industrial incidents. This information facilitates timely health
advisories and resource allocation for affected areas. Furthermore, researchers can utilize
long-term smoke exposure data to study its impact on respiratory diseases, contributing to
preventive measures.

8. 3. Aviation and Transportation:
The aviation industry ensures flight safety by utilizing smoke plume data to adjust routes during
volcanic eruptions or wildfires, reducing hazards. The transportation industries plan routes and
mitigate visibility-related hazards during extreme weather events using this information.
4. Energy and Utilities:
Power generation facilities and utilities monitor smoke plumes to protect infrastructure. Renewable
energy providers predict solar irradiance reductions due to air quality degradation, optimizing energy
production.
5. Environmental Conservation:
Environmental Conservation organizations assess wildfire and volcanic eruption impact on recovery
efforts and biodiversity preservation. Long-term data helps study their influence on climate change
and biodiversity.
6. Insurance and Risk Assessment:
The insurance industry uses smoke plume data to evaluate and price policies in high-risk areas. Risk
management firms develop tools to predict the financial impact of smoke-related disasters, enabling
informed decisions.

9. Get started now
To start with our Smoke Plumes API, head over to our API dashboard and sign up/log in for
the Smoke Plumes API key. If you want to learn more about the API, explore our
comprehensive documentation, including an end-point, sample response, parameters list,
and more.
If you have any questions or queries, reach out to us or leave a comment below!