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.
“Installing this new monitor in Friday Harbor is a vital step forward in protecting public health by ensuring access to air quality data,” said NWCAA Executive Director Mark Buford. “We are thrilled to partner with San Juan County and the Town of Friday Harbor to bring this resource to the community.”
“Good public health decisions start with good information,” said San Juan County Disease Prevention and Environmental Health Manager Jessica Nye. “This monitor will give our community a clearer picture of local air quality. Having reliable, locally collected air quality data will help us better understand the air our residents breathe and communicate clearly about conditions that may affect their health. We’re grateful to NWCAA for their partnership and commitment to making air quality information more accessible to our residents.”
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.
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom counties formed the Northwest Air Pollution Authority (now NWCAA) in 1967 under authority granted by the Washington Clean Air Act. San Juan County withdrew its membership in the early 1980s and rejoined NWCAA in July 2025.
NWCAA’s Board of Directors expanded from seven to nine members. The new seats went to San Juan County and to the Town of Friday Harbor. They joined representatives from Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties and from the cities of Oak Harbor, Mount Vernon, and Bellingham (as well as an at-large member).
NWCAA’s Advisory Council also has expanded to include San Juan County representatives. The Advisory Council is made up of health officials, industry representatives, environmental advocates, and others.
The Northwest Clean Air Agency is responsible for enforcing federal, state, and local air quality regulations in Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom counties. In addition to permitting and regulating industrial sources of air pollution, the agency provides services and information related to asbestos, outdoor burning, wood smoke and wildfire smoke, and air quality data. More information about the agency is available at https://nwcleanairwa.gov/.
