At a recent meeting, the Oak Harbor City Council unanimously approved a fancy new air monitoring station.

The machine, called a beta attenuation monitor, measures particulate to audit and forecast wildfires and other pollutants, said Mark Buford, executive director for the Northwest Clean Air Agency which serves Island, Whatcom and Skagit counties and implements the federal and state Clean Air acts.

For decades, Oak Harbor has had a nephelometer at the Oak Harbor Intermediate school. The upgraded technology, which is more sensitive, reliable and efficient, will be installed at the Public Works facility.

“We could talk about air quality monitors all day, and I would enjoy it,” Buford said.

The station costs the city $1,200 a year and installation of the new machine will cost $5,100, though the latter fee will be reimbursed by the agency, Buford said.

Mayor Pro Tem Tara Hizon, vice chair of the agency, said that moving the machine to city property will provide the city greater access to it.

For detailed local air data, visit nwcleanairwa.gov.