08/18/2026
The Northwest Clean Air Agency has installed and started operating a high-quality, regulatory-grade air monitoring station in Friday Harbor.
At this facility, NWCAA is using high-precision instrumentation to monitor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) – a primary health hazard associated with wildfire smoke.
This project marks the first time that reference-quality PM2.5 data is being collected in the county. The resulting data will fulfill NWCAA’s commitment to providing accurate air quality information across its four-county jurisdiction. It will also enable the agency to demonstrate San Juan County’s compliance with federal clean air regulations, such as the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
In addition to the monitoring station, NWCAA plans to expand its network of supplementary PM2.5 sensors throughout San Juan County. The agency anticipates adding 15 new locations throughout the county’s islands during 2026 and 2027, said Evan Bing, NWCAA’s atmospheric measurement manager.
These sensors will help further characterize PM2.5 levels throughout the county’s unique and diverse topography, giving residents access to high-quality, localized air quality information, Bing said.
The Friday Harbor monitor can be found on NWCAA’s website in the Air Quality Center: https://nwcleanairwa.gov/air-quality-center.
Read the full press release here: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/m/NewsFlash/home/detail/2220
