Effects of West Coast forest fire emissions on atmospheric environment: A coupled satellite and ground-based assessment

Abstract

Forest fires have a profound impact on the atmospheric environment and air quality across the ecosystems. The recent west coast forest fire in the United States of America (USA) has broken all the past records and caused severe environmental and public health burdens. As of middle September, nearly 6 million acres forest area were burned, and more than 25 casualties were reported so far. In this study, both satellite and in-situ air pollution data were utilized to examine the effects of this unprecedented wildfire on the atmospheric environment. The spatiotemporal concentrations of total six air pollutants, i.e. carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and aerosol index (AI), were measured for the periods of 15 August to 15 September for 2020 (fire year) and 2019 (reference year). The in-situ data-led measurements show that the highest increases in CO (ppm), PM2.5, and PM10 concentrations ({\mu}g/m3) were clustered around the west coastal fire-prone states, during the 15 August - 15 September period. The average CO concentration (ppm) was increased most significantly in Oregon (1147.10), followed by Washington (812.76), and California (13.17). Meanwhile, the concentration ({\mu}g/m3) in particulate matter (both PM2.5 and PM10), was increased in all three states affected severely by wildfires. Changes (positive) in both PM2.5 and PM10 were measured highest in Washington (45.83 and 88.47 for PM2.5 and PM10), followed by Oregon (41.99 and 62.75 for PM2.5 and PM10), and California (31.27 and 35.04 for PM2.5 and PM10). The average level of exposure to CO, PM2.5, and PM10 was also measured for all the three fire-prone states. The results of the exposure assessment revealed a strong tradeoff association between wildland fire and local/regional air quality standard.