Heartland Air Monitoring Partnership (HAMP), the organization that monitors the air local residents breathe, has released its 2024 Annual Report to the Community.
Highlights
- Significant Improvement in Air Quality: During the spring, summer, and fall of 2024, the region experienced a 44% decrease in high and very high Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) readings compared to 2023. Overall, air quality remained stable or improved across the Heartland, with HAMP’s long-term trends report confirming that the region’s poorest air quality days are typically linked to major natural events such as wildfires or winter temperature inversions. According to the 2024 public perception survey, over 91% of residents rated air quality as average or better—maintaining a stable trend since 2019.
- New Identity for HAMP: In May 2024, Fort Air Partnership officially rebranded to Heartland Air Monitoring Partnership (HAMP). The new name better reflects the organization’s broad regional reach and focus. HAMP also introduced a new logo featuring an owl, symbolizing vigilance, knowledge, and a commitment to clean air.
- Air Quality Monitoring and Data Insights: HAMP expanded its monitoring network by relocating the portable Keith Purves station to Thorhild in April 2024, strengthening northern regional coverage. The organization’s continuous air monitoring equipment achieved a 98.58% uptime—well above the Government of Alberta’s 90% minimum requirement. Air quality exceedances also dropped significantly, from 2,178 in 2023 to 976 in 2024, largely due to reduced wildfire smoke impacts.
- Engaging and Educating the Community: In 2024, schools in the Airshed partnered with HAMP to install micro-sensors to track fine particulate matter with their students. A refreshed air quality curriculum is set to launch in fall 2025. HAMP’s Fresh Air Experience Photo Contest reached over 7,800 people on social media in October 2024, highlighting community pride in clean air. Regular e-newsletters continue to deliver air quality insights to the community, with 10–12 issues annually.
Low risk AQHI relatively static over the past three years
As illustrated in the chart below, low risk AQHI ratings in the HAMP Airshed have remained relatively static since 2022.
Click here to view the 2024 Heartland Air Monitoring Partnership Annual Report to the Community.