Technology on Météo-France's aircraft aids in detailed examination of forest fires
The Meteo-France aircraft is at the forefront of a significant scientific mission, studying forest fires in Europe by conducting detailed measurements of pollution and atmospheric conditions above the fires. This mission, known as EUBURN, is a collaborative effort involving twenty European laboratories, with Météo-France and CNRS leading the charge[1].
The primary objective of this research program is to better understand the impact of forest fires on air quality, meteorology, and climate change. The aircraft, equipped with sensors, remote sensing devices, and temperature detectors, flies over forest fires at altitudes between 2,500 and 4,000 meters, gathering data on combustion particles and pollution[1].
The data collected will help characterize the pollutants released during fires and improve prediction models for how these pollutants affect people and ecosystems. The gathered data also contribute to a shared European database used by researchers and firefighting services to enhance preparedness and response[1].
The campaign is crucial as combustion particles from European forest fires have been poorly characterized until now. Although the data are not available in real-time during fires, the information will be made publicly accessible months later through atmospheric data services, improving long-term monitoring and studies on the interaction between forest fires, weather conditions, and climate change in Europe[1].
The Meteo-France aircraft's unique modifications allow it to fly over fires without disturbing Canadair and ground rescue services. High-precision equipment such as infrared cameras are scanning the fires in real-time, positioned under yellow and black stripes on the aircraft[1].
After completing its work in France, the aircraft will take off for Spain this year, followed by Portugal in the next two summers, extending the scope of the study[2]. Approximately twenty scientists are involved in the study, working directly above the flames for a month[3].
Over two tons of scientific instruments are on board the aircraft, with the addition of windows and the ability to attach sensors to pylons on the outside[4]. The mission continues to focus on understanding the impact of fires on meteorology, temperature of the atmosphere, cloud formation, and potential effects on climate change[5].
Jean-Christophe Canonici, deputy director of "Safire", explains the technical feat, while Ronan Paugam, a researcher at the University of Catalonia, is among the scientists contributing to the study[6]. The work ties into broader meteorological monitoring as Meteo-France issues wildfire alerts based on weather conditions, such as extreme heat and dry winds, which influence fire risk and spread across southern France and neighboring countries[7][8][9]. Thus, Meteo-France's aircraft data complement meteorological forecasts that help manage wildfire risks worsened by climate change-induced heatwaves and droughts in the region[10].
Sources: [1] Meteo-France [2] CNRS [3] University of Catalonia [4] Safire [5] European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme [6] El Pais [7] The Guardian [8] BBC News [9] Le Monde [10] The New York Times
- The European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program is supporting a study that focuses on understanding the impact of forest fires on various aspects, including air quality, meteorology, climate change, and environmental science.
- As part of this collaborative effort, scientists are studying therapies and treatments related to the health-and-wellness impact of pollutants released during forest fires, contributing to a shared European database used by researchers and firefighting services.
- In response to climate change-induced heatwaves and droughts, the data collected from the Meteo-France aircraft enhances meteorological forecasts to help manage wildfire risks more effectively, improving health-and-wellness and environmental conservation efforts in Europe.
