Researchers Develop Low-Cost Wildlife Smoke Sensors

New open-source sensors track wildfire smoke exposure for wildlife in remote areas.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Asthma

Researchers Develop Low-Cost Wildlife Smoke Sensors

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Should scientists prioritize tracking wildfire smoke's impact on wildlife health and behavior?

Scientists from Colorado State University and the U.S. Forest Service have created a $100 open-source sensor to monitor PM2.5 particulate matter for wildlife. The technology, which attaches to GPS collars, aims to bridge the gap in air quality data for animals living outside of populated regions.

Why it matters

Because air quality monitors are largely concentrated in populated areas, researchers lack essential data on how wildfire smoke affects wildlife behavior in remote environments. This new sensor allows land managers to better plan prescribed burns to mitigate potential smoke exposure for animal populations.

The study utilized a laser-based sensor from Sensirion that records data every 30 minutes, with a total unit cost of approximately $100. Researchers tested the device on a mule deer in Utah for 38 days before the animal was killed by a cougar.

The players

Colorado State University

This public research university is a leading institution for studies on wildlife health and environmental management.

U.S. Forest Service

This federal agency manages national forests and grasslands and is currently collaborating on wildfire smoke research.

The details

The sensor is housed in a box that activates for 30 seconds every half hour to sample PM2.5 particulate matter levels. Beyond the initial mule deer testing in Utah and Colorado, the researchers have deployed these loggers on cougars in New Mexico, elk in Washington, and mule deer in California.

June 22, 2025: A stationary logger detected particulate rise from fireworks in Massachusetts.
December 11, 2025: Sensor collar deployment began on a mule deer in Utah.
January 18, 2026: Data collection ended following the death of the Utah mule deer.
October 7, 2026: Results were published in the journal Methods in Ecology and Evolution.

The Big Picture

This development marks a significant departure from the historical lack of air monitoring in wilderness regions, where data has traditionally been unavailable. By providing localized, real-time air quality metrics, the project shifts the paradigm for studying how wildlife interacts with changing environmental conditions.

The development of low-cost air quality sensors could lead to more efficient land management strategies, potentially reducing the impact of wildfire smoke on forest ecosystems. Long-term, this technology may help land managers better time prescribed burns to ensure cleaner air for both wildlife and nearby human communities.

The takeaway

This research provides a cost-effective tool to monitor atmospheric hazards in previously unmeasured wild habitats. These findings help create a more comprehensive understanding of environmental health outside of urban centers.