Integrating WRF-SFIRE-CHEM in NASA Unified WRF (NUWRF)

Wildfires, with their increasing frequency and intensity, present an urgent challenge for both atmospheric scientists and policymakers. The intricate feedback loops between wildfires, the atmosphere, and resultant aerosol and gas-phase emissions demand a modeling approach that is comprehensive, accurate, and dynamically consistent. To address this challenge, we present our recent work on integrating WRF-SFIRE-CHEM into the NASA Unified WRF (NUWRF).

WRF-SFIRE offers a sophisticated representation of fire-atmosphere interactions by simulating the spread of wildfires using atmospheric and fuel conditions, while its integration with WRF-Chem allows for the detailed modeling of fire emissions and subsequent atmospheric chemical processes. By merging this system into NUWRF, we leverage NASA's advanced satellite assimilation capabilities and land surface modeling, offering an unprecedented level of detail in wildfire simulations, from ignition to atmospheric impact.

Our preliminary results from the merged model showcase the dynamic interplay between fire behavior, atmospheric conditions, and chemical transformations. Emphasizing the insertion of fire emissions directly into the lowest WRF layer, we capture the fine-scale transport and dispersion patterns, which are crucial for understanding smoke plume evolution and downwind air quality impacts.

Within the broader context of the NASA project, this integrated modeling approach serves as the foundation for a digital twin of mega-wildfires. By coupling with health and deforestation impact models, our simulations shed light on the multifaceted consequences of large-scale fire events. Notably, the ability to predict the impacts on air quality allows for a direct link to cardiopulmonary disease occurrences, facilitating timely public health interventions. Similarly, the modeling of post-fire land surface changes paves the way for understanding regional deforestation dynamics, with implications for carbon storage, biodiversity, and local climate.

In conclusion, the integration of WRF-SFIRE-CHEM into NUWRF represents a significant step forward in our capability to understand and predict wildfire impacts at multiple scales. As we continue refining the merged model, our aim is to provide stakeholders, from researchers to policymakers, with a powerful tool to assess and mitigate the effects of wildfires in an era of rapid environmental change.

This work is supported by NASA grant 80NSSC22K1405 "Towards a NU-WRF based Mega Wildfire Digital Twin: Smoke Transport Impact Scenarios on Air Quality, Cardiopulmonary Disease and Regional Deforestation".