The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) Clean Air Branch has issued a smoke advisory related to a fire at the Hammerhead Metal Recycling in Puʻunēnē, Maui. The fire has resulted in dense smoke in the surrounding areas, prompting DOH to advise residents and visitors, particularly those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, to take precautions or consider leaving the area until the situation is under control.
According to the DOH, individuals with conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema are at higher risk and should take necessary measures to safeguard their health. In light of this, the department has provided safety tips for those affected by the smoke and ash.
One of the key recommendations from the DOH is to monitor real-time air quality data available at https://map.purpleair.com/. This monitoring is essential for impacted residents and visitors to gauge the air quality and make informed decisions to mitigate smoke exposure.
Furthermore, the color-coded index displayed on the website serves as a valuable tool for quickly assessing whether the air quality in communities is deteriorating to unhealthy levels. The index also offers guidance on steps that can be taken to protect one's health, as outlined in the Guide for Particle Pollution on AirNow.gov.
In addition to the real-time monitoring tool, the DOH Clean Air Branch website gathers data from Hawaiʻi’s regulatory network of air quality monitors. Moreover, AirNow’s Fire and Smoke website provides hourly averages of air quality, offering a comprehensive overview of the situation for residents and visitors impacted by the fire at Hammerhead Metal Recycling on Maui.