Canadian and Pacific NW Fires Observed by AIRS (7/14-7/18)

This week, VIIRS (Visible Infrared Radiometer Suite) and MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) observed active fires in British Columbia (Canada) and the Pacific Northwest (Oregon and Washington mostly).  To determine the impact of these fires on air quality downwind, we examined AIRS (Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder) trace gases (CO, CH4, and O3) in Near Real Time (NRT).  Observations begin on July 14th, show the transport of elevated CO and O3 across the Front Range by the 16th of July, and an influence on the Eastern US today.

On the 14th (Figure 1):  NOAA's Hazard Mapping System (HMS) Fire and Smoke Analysis picks up active fires in British Columbia (BC) and Oregon.  Smoke from the BC and other northern Canadian fires spreads across northern US including NE Colorado.  AIRS observes correlated total column CO (TCCO) and total column CH4 (TCCH4) in the Pacific Northwest (red circle below) region and elevated mid-tropospheric CO (greater than 200 ppbv) over active fires in Oregon.    

Figure 1: Courtesy of Debra Kollonige.

On the 16th (Figure 2): Again active fires detected by HMS (bottom right) are associated with high mid-tropospheric CO concentrations measured by AIRS in NRT (bottom left). At this point, elevated trace gases (CO and O3) have reached Colorado (top); most likely influenced by both the ongoing Canadian and NW US fires.      

Figure 2: Courtesy of Debra Kollonige.

 Yesterday -7/17 and Today - 7/18 (Figure 3):  With fires still active, smoke has become widespread across the US (bottom: 7/17 left and 7/18 right).  Regions with correlated CO and O3 could be aged air from fire sources.  Even the Washington, DC / Baltimore areas are expected to have a noticeable impact from the Northwest fires (ie. pretty sunsets today from scattering off particles in the air.) 

Figure 3: Courtesy of Debra Kollonige and Meredith Nichols.

For quick plots of ground observations at Platteville-Colorado DISCOVER-AQ site:  visit the PSU Gator Team page at  http://ozone.met.psu.edu/dev/index.php.  For more images and tweets, follow @MDGatorTeam and @PSUGatorTeam on Twitter.