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Chico air right now

GoodAQI 11

Chico’s five-day smoke forecast shows the current index and the clearest time ahead.

11
AQI now
2
PM2.5 · µg/m³
Look farther for cleaner air

Where are you?

Search covers Canada and the United States.

The better move within a 3-hour drive

Dates

Dates follow you into hotel searches. Live inventory is confirmed by the provider.

You may already have the cleanest nearby air.No meaningfully cleaner place has a verified road route within 3 hours. Widen the range or show worse air for context.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Chico Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Chester
Cel-shaded illustration of Chester
AQI 10
#1ChesterChecking road route

California· Good

Lake Almanor resort town near 4,500 feet in the northern Sierra, an open-water mountain escape.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.8 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.8/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
10% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Susanville
Cel-shaded illustration of Susanville
AQI 11
#2SusanvilleChecking road route

California· Good

High-desert town near 4,200 feet at the edge of the Sierra and Great Basin, with a broad motel base.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
0% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Sacramento
Cel-shaded illustration of Sacramento
AQI 23
#3Sacramento~1 h 50 min drive

California· Good

A major California city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 4.1 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.1/22 × 7 = 1.3 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Chico

105% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Downtown Sacramento - T Street monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Downieville
Cel-shaded illustration of Downieville
AQI 27
#4DownievilleChecking road route

California· Good

Remote Sierra canyon town near 3,000 feet on the Yuba River, a small mountain-town escape.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 4.9 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.9/22 × 7 = 1.6 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Chico

145% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Grass Valley
Cel-shaded illustration of Grass Valley
AQI 28
#5Grass ValleyChecking road route

California· Good

Sierra foothill mining town beside Nevada City, with pine-forest air above the Central Valley floor.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 5 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Chico

150% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Colfax monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Redding
Cel-shaded illustration of Redding
AQI 28
#6Redding~1 h 30 min drive

California· Good

A major California city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 5 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Chico

150% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 4:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Redding monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Nevada City
Cel-shaded illustration of Nevada City
AQI 28
#7Nevada City~1 h 40 min drive

California· Good

Gold Rush town in the Sierra foothills, set at higher elevation than the Central Valley, with restored inns and a walkable historic core.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 5 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5/22 × 7 = 1.6 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Chico

150% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Colfax monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Graeagle
Cel-shaded illustration of Graeagle
AQI 57
#8GraeagleChecking road route

California· Moderate

Sierra Valley resort village near 4,500 feet, a golf-and-lake base with cool mountain-forest air.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 12.3 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 12.3/22 × 7 = 3.9 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Chico

515% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Portola monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Portola
Cel-shaded illustration of Portola
AQI 57
#9PortolaChecking road route

California· Moderate

Railroad town near 4,900 feet in the Sierra Valley, a quiet high-elevation base with cabins.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 12.3 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 12.3/22 × 7 = 3.9 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Chico

515% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Portola monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Quincy
Cel-shaded illustration of Quincy
AQI 68
#10QuincyChecking road route

California· Moderate

Northern Sierra county seat near 3,400 feet in Plumas National Forest, with cool mountain-valley air.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 18.3 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 18.3/22 × 7 = 5.8 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Chico

815% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Quincy monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Paradise
Cel-shaded illustration of Paradise
AQI unavailable
#11ParadiseChecking road route

California

California community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Magalia
Cel-shaded illustration of Magalia
AQI unavailable
#12MagaliaChecking road route

California

California community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Willits
Cel-shaded illustration of Willits
AQI 4
#13WillitsChecking road route

California· Good

Mendocino County valley town on Highway 101, higher and cooler than the coast with motels.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 0.7 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.7/22 × 7 = 0.2 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
65% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Willits Blosser Lane monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Sutter Creek
Cel-shaded illustration of Sutter Creek
AQI 6
#14Sutter CreekChecking road route

California· Good

Small Gold Country town on Highway 49, a walkable historic Main Street above the valley haze.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
50% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the San Andreas monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Jackson
Cel-shaded illustration of Jackson
AQI 6
#15JacksonChecking road route

California· Good

Amador County Gold Rush town in the Sierra foothills, above the valley haze with historic inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
50% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the San Andreas monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Dunsmuir
Cel-shaded illustration of Dunsmuir
AQI 9
#16DunsmuirChecking road route

California· Good

Railroad town in the upper Sacramento River canyon below Mount Shasta, with cool forested-canyon air.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.7 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.7/22 × 7 = 0.5 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
15% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Mount Shasta
Cel-shaded illustration of Mount Shasta
AQI 9
#17Mount ShastaChecking road route

California· Good

Town at the foot of the 14,000-foot volcano it's named for, near 3,600 feet with cool mountain air.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.7 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.7/22 × 7 = 0.5 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
15% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Fort Bragg
Cel-shaded illustration of Fort Bragg
AQI 4
#18Fort Bragg~4 h 25 min drive

California· Good

Working coastal town on the Mendocino shoreline, swept by open Pacific wind, with motels and rentals just off the water.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 0.7 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.7/22 × 7 = 0.2 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
65% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Willits Blosser Lane monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Mendocino
Cel-shaded illustration of Mendocino
AQI 4
#19Mendocino~4 h 35 min drive

California· Good

Clifftop village on the wild Mendocino Coast, wrapped in cool onshore ocean air, with historic inns and B&Bs.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 0.7 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.7/22 × 7 = 0.2 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
65% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Willits Blosser Lane monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Murphys
Cel-shaded illustration of Murphys
AQI 6
#20MurphysChecking road route

California· Good

Calaveras County Gold Rush village with a wine-tasting Main Street, above the Central Valley haze.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
50% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the San Andreas monitor.

Directions
Bad week ahead? Check the 7-day outlook — if it won’t clear, book the trip

7-day outlook

Plan the next seven days

Pick a day, or compare the whole week. Weather is forecast; air quality is the latest available reading.

Loading the week…

Finding the nicest days and reachable cities.

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDTLast scan Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT · 49 min ago

Why live rankings? Smoke plumes are patchy and shift with the wind, so no direction is reliably cleaner. This list is recalculated from live PM2.5 every hour — and if everything nearby is smoky, it says so.

How we work this out →

Browse all 200 cities by province & state →

More air-quality pages in California →
Anaheim air qualityBakersfield air qualityFresno air qualityLos Angeles air qualityModesto air qualityRedding air qualityRiverside air qualitySacramento air qualitySan Bernardino air qualitySan Diego air qualitySan Francisco air qualitySan Jose air qualityStockton air quality
Air quality in nearby cities →
Reno air qualityMedford air qualityBend air qualityEugene air qualitySalem air qualityBoise air qualityPortland air qualityLas Vegas air qualityHenderson air qualityYakima air qualityOlympia air qualityTacoma air quality

What this means · Chico

Good

AQI 11

AQI = Air Quality Index

Typical person. Air quality is satisfactory for most outdoor plans.

Kids, seniors, heart or lung conditions. Unusually sensitive people can still enjoy the outdoors.

The AQI on this page follows fine particles (PM2.5). Particles here are 2 µg/m³ (Natural), so the headline and the particle scale below tell the same story.

Act two · Fine particles only

Where PM2.5 lands

This bar is smoke and fine particles (PM2.5) only. Left is cleaner air; right is heavier particle pollution. Today's particles sit in Natural.

2 µg/m³
Clean · 0Smoky · 40Severe · 80+

Act three · Particle ladder

What each PM2.5 rung feels like

  • 0–3µg/m³Natural. About as clean as outdoor air realistically gets.
  • 3–5µg/m³Clean. Crisp, destination-worthy air.
  • 5–9µg/m³Good. Clean city air; most people will not notice anything today.
  • 9–15µg/m³Elevated. Usually no big deal today; sensitive lungs may notice hard exercise.
  • 15–35µg/m³Polluted. Smoke or traffic pollution is now worth acting on.
  • 35–55µg/m³Unhealthy. Symptoms become more likely, especially with asthma or heart disease.
  • 55+µg/m³Severe. Everyone should reduce exposure and clean the indoor air.

Act four · Felt number

Cigarettes a week

A secondary feel for the particle load only — not a medical claim, and not a substitute for AQI.

0.6/wk

What is PM2.5?

Fine particles about 30× thinner than a human hair — small enough to slip through your lungs and into your bloodstream. We measure them inµg/m³: micrograms of particle mass in a cubic metre of air.

The math

PM2.5 here is 2 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →