An improved system and method for detecting smoke using an ionization sensor is disclosed herein. A smoke detector can comprise the ionization sensor, a smoke detector memory, and a microprocessor. The ionization sensor can comprise an ionization chamber. The smoke detector memory can comprise a smoke detector application, and a plurality of ionization smoke signatures. The plurality of ionization smoke signatures, wherein each of the ionization smoke signatures relates to how the ionization chamber interacts with one of a plurality of particulates. Each of the plurality of particulates can be indicative or non-indicative of a fire. The microprocessor can, according to instructions from the smoke detector application receive current data from the ionization sensor, and compare the current data with the plurality of ionization smoke signatures to determine if the current data matches any of the plurality of ionization smoke signatures.