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Restoring Trust and Enhancing Safety: UCLA DTS Rescues AQI Dashboard Amid Wildfire Emergency

Introduction

In January 2025, as wildfires spread across Los Angeles, UCLA faced a critical moment. Its Air Quality Index (AQI) dashboard, a vital tool for campus safety, was reporting air pollution levels far below those shown by official sources. Inaccurate data during an environmental crisis created an immediate risk to public health and trust.

With the Chancellor scheduled to speak to the UCLA community the next morning, Digital & Technology Solutions (DTS) mobilized rapidly. Within 12 hours, the team diagnosed the issue, secured long-lost source code, implemented a permanent fix, and stabilized the system for long-term resilience.

The Challenge

The AQI dashboard displayed values up to four times lower than those reported by AirNow and other official platforms. Students, faculty, and families were alarmed and confused. Confidence in UCLA’s data systems began to deteriorate quickly.

To complicate matters, the dashboard had no current owner. The original developer had left years earlier, taking all documentation and source code. The dashboard also served other campuses, including UCSB, UCSD, and UCSF. Meanwhile, an added threat loomed: the dashboard’s third-party data source, Clarity, was set to expire on March 31, 2025. Without action, the dashboard would become inoperable.

The Solution

DTS responded immediately, assembling a cross-functional team of developers, analysts, and system administrators. Within 20 minutes, they discovered that the dashboard used an outdated calculation method. Fixing it required access to the original code—something no one had.

By 9 PM that evening, the team successfully contacted the original developer and obtained the source code. A thorough review confirmed that the dashboard was not using the EPA's updated NowCast method, which calculates a weighted 12-hour average and responds dynamically to environmental changes.

Working through the night, the team implemented the correct formula, tested it against trusted sources, and pushed the revised dashboard live by 9:59 AM—just one minute before the Chancellor’s town hall began.

The Outcome

DTS didn’t stop with the emergency fix. The team took swift steps to ensure long-term sustainability and improved functionality:

  • Migrated the dashboard to Clarity’s new Customer API to avoid service disruption
  • Uploaded the source code to GitHub and created detailed technical documentation
  • Laid the foundation for a strategic roadmap, including AWS migration and improved reporting capabilities

These actions restored accurate reporting not only for UCLA but also for other UC campuses using the same technology.

The Impact

The results of the DTS response were significant:

  • The dashboard was restored in under 12 hours with zero downtime
  • Public trust in UCLA’s environmental data systems was reestablished
  • Accurate AQI reporting resumed for four UC campuses
  • A scalable, resilient infrastructure was created to support future needs

Looking Ahead

DTS is now moving forward with further enhancements:

  • Reintroducing monthly data reporting through AWS Lambda
  • Collaborating with the Digital Foundry team to improve user experience and deliver audience-specific guidance
  • Establishing modern standards for documentation and system ownership to reduce technical debt

The AQI dashboard recovery is now a model for crisis response and digital transformation, demonstrating the power of collaboration, strategic thinking, and rapid technical execution.

Learn more or explore partnership opportunities with UCLA Digital & Technology Solutions.