Yunyao Li, assistant professor in the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, has been chosen by NASA to develop an early warning system to alert communities when wildfire smoke may make the air unsafe to breathe.
Early warning system
Li will work with co-investigators from New York University, the US Naval Research Laboratory and Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, with additional collaborators from NASA, NOAA, the EPA and the US Forest Service.
“This system will leverage Earth observations to develop a sophisticated model-weighting technique, thereby enhancing current air quality forecast capabilities,” said Dr Li, assistant professor in earth and environmental sciences at UT Arlington and co-principal investigator of the grant from NASA’s Science Mission Directorate Earth Science Division.
Among the tangible benefits are a fire smoke visualization tool and a patient-centric messaging system to improve real-time communication of air quality risks. The tool will also contribute forecasts to the EPA’s AirNow program, enhancing the agency’s ability to deliver accurate and timely information to the public.
Next, the team will use the forecasting system to collaborate with key stakeholders in developing products and solutions that support informed decisions about air quality and public health.
Wildfire threat
UT Arlington states that research has shown that exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to long-term respiratory problems and even death, and that the health risks aren’t confined to areas near the fire. In June 2023, wildfires in Quebec caused severe air pollution as far away as New York City and Washington DC. The institution also highlights that while air quality forecasting can reduce the harm caused by wildfire smoke, it remains a challenge due to unpredictable emission rates, shifting smoke patterns and changing weather conditions.
“Our project aims to enhance wildfire air quality forecasting capabilities and develop tools that advance decision-making processes related to wildfire air quality and health management,” Dr Li said.
“Wildfires are becoming more and more of a threat in many parts of the US and abroad, and accurate air quality forecasting is critical to protecting the health of people who might feel the effects of these fires far from their origin,” said Arne Winguth, professor and chair of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at UT Arlington. “This study will help provide valuable tools to enhance these forecasting capabilities.”
For more of the top insights into the future of air quality monitoring, read Meteorological Technology International’s exclusive feature “How is the latest meteorological technology tackling the air pollution problem?”, here