Introduction to the Western Wildfire Experiment for Cloud Chemistry, Aerosol Absorption and Nitrogen (WE-CAN)

Wildfire smoke originating in the western U.S. impacts air quality, nutrient cycles, weather, and climate. The WE-CAN project deployed the NCAR/NSF C-130 research aircraft in summer 2018 (22 July – 31 August) to sample wildfire smoke during its first day of atmospheric evolution. The flight plans and aircraft payload were designed to answer scientific questions related to fixed nitrogen, absorbing aerosols, cloud activation and chemistry in wildfire plumes. We will provide an overview of the similarities and differences between the particular wildfires that were characterized during this mission, and we will discuss the general sampling strategies that were deployed. More details on the project timeline and payload can be found here: https://www.eol.ucar.edu/field_projects/we-can