Forecast System to Predict Where Wildfire Smoke Will Move

Government agencies can use the information to issue air quality alerts. As wildfires burn throughout the Northwest, air quality is becoming an increasing concern for residents throughout the region. WSU researchers in the Laboratory for Atmospheric Research have worked with the U.S. Forest Service to develop the first daily numerical forecast system in the U.S. to measure the impact of wildfires on regional atmospheric chemistry and air quality.

The air quality forecast system, which operates on a daily basis in the Pacific Northwest, was developed originally to measure and predict the movement of emissions of ozone, carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter that affect human health. It has recently been enhanced to automatically include wildfire pollutant emissions and for the first time can predict transport and dispersion of smoke and other pollutants from fires. The information is being used by government agencies as they assess whether to issue air quality alerts.

For more information, contact Brian Lamb, professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, blamb@wsu.edu, 509.335.5702.