Dr. Emily Fischer, Assistant Professor, Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University
Western U.S. wildfires are large dynamic sources of particulate matter and ozone precursors. Smoke can be transported long distances to deteriorate air quality over very large regions. Fire severity and frequency are expected to increase in the future as anthropogenic emissions continue to decline. Thus the relative importance of wildfires as a source of air pollutants is likely to increase. Dr. Fischer will discuss which fires currently produce sufficient smoke to warrant a U.S. NWS smoke forecast, where that smoke typically travels, and how it impacts both particulate matter and ozone abundances downwind. She will also provide an overview of the major upcoming field intensives aimed at understanding the chemical evolution of wildfire smoke.