Is wildfire smoke going to ruin your blue sky? An evaluation of a wildfire smoke forecasting tool.
Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Major
Environmental Engineering
Research Advisor
Jeffrey Pierce and Emily Fischer (Colorado State University, Atmospheric Science and Climate dept.)
Funding Source
NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates – Summer 2016
Abstract
Particulate matter decreases quality of life by harming physical health. Each year hundreds of fires occur across the United States including wildfires and prescribed burns. Wildfires release massive quantities of particulate matter into the air that can travel hundreds, or thousands, of miles. This research investigates the performance of the BlueSky wildfire smoke forecasting tool by comparing it to actual surface measurements during summer 2015. Analyzing any bias in concentration forecasts and plume arrival forecasts can help determine errors in the tool’s framework. Identifying these biases provides the first step to fixing them or accounting for them in real time use. This forecast tool may be used to help inform the public or decision makers about incoming wildfire smoke in order to take preventative measures to protect human health.
Biography
Maryssa Loehr is a senior studying Environmental Engineering with a minor in Chemistry. She is passionate about learning about and engineering solutions to atmospheric challenges, and she plans to focus her career endeavors towards this passion through air quality engineering. She is an active member of the Missouri S&T Symphonic Orchestra where she enjoys playing her violin. When not practicing her violin, she plays intramural sports, paints her nails, and plays video games.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hall
Presentation Date
11 Apr 2017, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Is wildfire smoke going to ruin your blue sky? An evaluation of a wildfire smoke forecasting tool.
Upper Atrium/Hall
Particulate matter decreases quality of life by harming physical health. Each year hundreds of fires occur across the United States including wildfires and prescribed burns. Wildfires release massive quantities of particulate matter into the air that can travel hundreds, or thousands, of miles. This research investigates the performance of the BlueSky wildfire smoke forecasting tool by comparing it to actual surface measurements during summer 2015. Analyzing any bias in concentration forecasts and plume arrival forecasts can help determine errors in the tool’s framework. Identifying these biases provides the first step to fixing them or accounting for them in real time use. This forecast tool may be used to help inform the public or decision makers about incoming wildfire smoke in order to take preventative measures to protect human health.
