Developing tools to better predict how climate-driven wildfires will impact air quality

Research led by Derek Mallia

This work highlights a University of Utah Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy-funded project led by Derek Mallia looking at how larger wildfires in the future will increase the frequency of wildfire-initiated thunderstorms, i.e., Cumulonimbus (PyroCb). PyroCbs pose as a challenge for fire management operations, while simultaneously expanding the coverage of wildfire smoke. Preliminary results indicate the larger wildfires could increase the number of PyroCbs by a factor of 3 to 5, depending on the climate scenario, by 2060.

More information is available on a slide provided by researchers associated with the project.

Attribution: This content was provided by researchers involved with the project and edited by staff at the CHPC.