Fireworks Across Salina Created a Heavy Smoke Spike in July 4 Air Quality Data

Fireworks across Salina and Saline County caused a sharp, short-term drop in air quality on the night of July 4, with historic air quality data showing a major spike in both AQI and fine particle pollution during the main fireworks window.

The data shows Salina’s air quality remained relatively stable through much of the afternoon and early evening. From 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., PM2.5 levels were listed at 9.8 µg/m³, which was marked as Moderate. From 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Salina’s AQI+ US reading was 52, also listed as Moderate.

Conditions changed quickly later that night.

The graphs show a major spike beginning around 9 p.m., with the highest readings occurring around 10 p.m. and elevated levels continuing into roughly 11 p.m. That timing matches the peak period when fireworks were being launched across the city and county.

The PM2.5 graph shows fine particle pollution rising dramatically from the earlier moderate level, with the peak appearing near the 600 µg/m³ range around 10 p.m. The AQI+ US graph also shows a major spike at the same time, with readings appearing to climb near or above the 1,000 range before dropping back down overnight.