The Business of Clean Air

Analyzing AQI/AQM Data Costs for Wildfire Solutions

We are living in the "Pyrocene," a new geological epoch defined by intense and widespread wildfire activity. This crisis demands granular, distinct data streams: one to track the **source (fire)** and one to track the **impact (smoke)**. This two-map approach, fueled by **Enterprise Tier** data, is the gold standard for high-value wildfire solutions.

2x

Increase in Extreme Fire Weather

A 2025 study highlighted that the occurrence of extreme fire weather has roughly doubled compared to the preindustrial period, emphasizing the need for advanced fire and smoke monitoring.

Dual Global Visualization: Remote Sensing & Forecast Impact

The two maps below are linked by the time slider. Map 2 (Remote Sensing) shows **instantaneous Fire Radiative Power (FRP)** data detected by satellites, while Map 1 (Smoke) uses that input to run a **48-hour forecast model** (the high-value product).

Now +12h +24h +48h
Exposed Population: 4.5 Million

Data Tiers Required:

Both maps require **Enterprise Tier** access for global coverage, high resolution, and predictive modeling based on satellite feeds (MODIS/VIIRS).

Map 1: Smoke Plume Forecast (AQI)

AQI Legend (Hover for PM2.5 & Latency)

Good
U.S.G.
Unhealthy
V. Unh.
Hazardous

Map 2: Remote Sensing Hotspot Map (FRP)

FRP Legend (Hover for Brightness Temp)

Low FRP
Medium FRP
High FRP

**Actionable Insights:** Map 2 informs **fire containment** and **resource deployment**. Map 1, using Map 2's data as input, informs **public health warnings** and **air filtration needs**.

Typical AQM Data Subscription Costs

The requirement for **two real-time global maps** showing distinct, high-resolution data streams (smoke and fire) solidifies the need for the **Enterprise Tier** subscription. This separates professional solutions from public-access data.

**Enterprise Cost**: The $2,500+ monthly cost covers the APIs for both predictive (Smoke Map) and immediate (Fire Map) satellite data streams.

Demand by AQM Data Type

The Fire Map (Remote Sensing) relies on **Real-time Sensor Data** (55%) for hotspot detection, while the Smoke Map uses **Predictive Smoke Forecasts** (35%) to generate future plume movement.

The map's forecasting capability (Time Slider) is driven by the 35% demand for Predictive Smoke Forecasts, a high-value data product.

A Data-Driven Wildfire Solution Workflow

The dual maps demonstrate the two distinct inputs needed at Step 1 and the split between immediate data (Fire Map) and predictive modeling (Smoke Map).

1

Satellite & Sensor Data

Global PM2.5 & fire detection

2

AQM Platform

Aggregation & Analysis

3

Predictive Smoke Model

Forecast smoke plumes

4

Public Health Alert

Notify at-risk users