Attn: North East Region media
EPA Victoria is approaching the bushfire season with its biggest ever network of air quality monitors across the state, twice daily forecasts on Twitter, and the AirWatch website offering live data 24 hours a day.
With the recent addition of 49 new regionally based air quality sensors, EPA's Chief Environmental Scientist Mark Patrick Taylor says AirWatch now offers live air quality data from 90 stations in Melbourne, Geelong, the Latrobe Valley and across broader Victoria, including these in the north and northeast of the state:
• Albury Wodonga
• Shepparton/Mooroopna
• Beechworth
• Benalla
• Bendigo
• Bright
• Chiltern
• Mansfield
• Myrtleford
• Rutherglen
• Yarrawonga
"Each summer carries with it the risk of bushfires and AirWatch is designed to equip Victorians to take action to protect their health," Prof Taylor said.
"AirWatch tweets twice daily forecasts for each region, and offers actions you can take to reduce the effects of smoke on your home, your health and your family," he said.
AirWatch is at epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/airwatch - search on your location or scroll down and click on the map.
"The scientists in EPA's forecast team use a range of tools including weather forecasts, satellite imagery and smoke modelling, backed up by valuable on-the-ground information from the AirWatch network," Prof Taylor said.
"During summer bushfires people want to know if there is going to be smoke, and how smoky it is going to be. They need current conditions, a reliable prediction for tomorrow, and professional advice on what do to protect themselves," he said.
AirWatch offers Victorians hourly air quality data from each sensor in an easy-to-read format that shows levels of smoke and other fine particles.
Air quality sensors in regional cities and country towns are based with local VICSES volunteer units and CFA volunteer brigades, and in some cases with educational institutions.
"Twelve VICSES units around the state can also respond to bushfires and other incidents with Incident Air Quality Monitoring (IAM) gear that links with EPA's AirWatch network.
The AirWatch website has links that advise on how to protect your health and the best type of indoor air filters to use to remove smoke, dust and other particulates from the air in your home.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EPA AirWatch is here: epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/airwatch
There's advice on smoke and your health on the EPA website here:
epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/environmental-information/air-quality/smoke/smoke-your-health
You can find advice on indoor air filters including HEPA filters, here:
epa.vic.gov.au/about-epa/publications/1809
EPA's Regional Sensor Network locations include:
Ararat, Bacchus Marsh, Bairnsdale, Beechworth, Benalla, Bright, Broadford, Camperdown, Castlemaine, Chiltern, Cobden, Colac, Daylesford – Hepburn Springs, Drysdale – Clifton Springs, East Warburton, Gisborne, Hamilton, Heathcote, Heywood, Kerang, Kinglake, Kyneton, Lakes Entrance, Lancefield, Leongatha, Lorne, Macedon, Maffra, Mallacoota, Mansfield, Myrtleford, Orbost, Ouyen, Portland, Rutherglen, Sale, Seville, Shepparton – Mooroopna, Stawell, Sunbury, Swan Hill, Torquay - Jan Juc, Wallan, Warburton, Warragul, Wodonga, Wonthaggi, Yarra Glen, Yarrawonga.
EPA also has a fixed network of stations in Melbourne, Geelong and the Latrobe Valley, and mobile and incident air monitoring stations for use during bushfires and other emergencies.
