In August 2024, NASA researchers, along with their partners, gathered in Missoula to test innovative drone-based technology designed for localized weather forecasting, known as micrometeorology. Their mission was to attach advanced wind sensors to a drone, specifically NASA’s Alta X quadcopter, to gather detailed and sustainable meteorological data crucial for predicting fire behavior.
Wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe across the globe, including in the United States, with wind playing a significant role in accelerating their growth. Wind can lead to rapid and unpredictable fire expansion, posing threats to communities and increasing the risk of fire-related fatalities. This makes micrometeorology an essential tool in managing and combating wildfires.
The initiative was part of NASA’s FireSense project, which aims to address the challenges faced in wildland fire management by integrating NASA’s scientific and technological advancements into operational agencies. Jacqueline Shuman, a FireSense project scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley, emphasized the importance of ensuring that the new technology can be easily adopted by organizations like the U.S. Forest Service and the National Weather Service.
The selection of the Alta X drone was strategic, as the U.S. Forest Service already operates a fleet of these quadcopters and has trained pilots. This familiarity could simplify the integration of essential sensors and infrastructure, making the adoption process more cost-effective and efficient.
The choice of sensors for the drone’s payload was guided by their potential for widespread adoption. The first sensor, a radiosonde, measures various atmospheric parameters such as wind direction and speed, humidity, temperature, and pressure. It is a tool routinely used by the National Weather Service. The second sensor, an anemometer, measures wind speed and direction and is a staple at weather stations and airports worldwide.
Robert McSwain, the FireSense Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) lead based at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, expressed the innovation behind their approach: “Anemometers are typically stationary, but we are essentially giving them wings by mounting them on drones." This adaptation means that the data these sensors collect can now be accessed in new and dynamic ways.
Both sensors provide datasets that are already familiar to meteorologists globally, which broadens the potential applications of this drone-based platform. Traditionally, weather data is collected by attaching radiosondes to weather balloons, which are then released into the atmosphere. While effective for regional weather forecasting, wildfires require more frequent and localized forecasts to accurately predict their behavior. This is where drones offer a significant advantage.
Jennifer Fowler, FireSense’s project manager at Langley, clarified, “These drones are not intended to replace weather balloons. Our goal is to create an additional tool that can deliver more frequent, localized data specifically for wildfires, complementing existing weather forecasting methods.”
Drones have the capability to repeatedly measure atmospheric conditions over a specific area. This allows on-site forecasters to deploy drones every few hours as conditions evolve, providing timely data to help predict how weather will influence a fire’s direction and speed. This information is crucial for fire crews on the ground who need to make rapid decisions about deploying resources, drawing fire lines, and protecting nearby communities.
The use of drones also offers environmental and financial benefits. Unlike weather balloons, which are single-use and leave behind non-recoverable sensors, drones can be operated multiple times, thus minimizing impact and cost.
Before deploying this technology in active fire zones, thorough testing is essential. The FireSense team conducted such tests over the summer in Missoula. According to McSwain, the area’s complex mountainous terrain, characterized by erratic winds and limited ground-based monitoring instruments, presented ideal conditions for their research. During the three-day campaign, nearby fires provided an opportunity to evaluate drone performance in smoky conditions.
NASA Langley’s drone team executed eight data-collection flights in Missoula. Prior to each flight, student teams from the University of Idaho and Salish Kootenai College launched weather balloons equipped with the same type of radiometer used for data collection.
The collected data then needed to be processed into a format that could be easily interpreted by non-meteorologists, such as incident commanders actively managing fires. This is where data visualization experts became involved. Collaborators from MITRE, NVIDIA, and Esri joined NASA in the field, converting raw data into insightful visual displays. The MITRE team, in collaboration with NVIDIA, tested high-resolution AI meteorological models, while Esri created visuals illustrating flight paths, temperatures, and wind conditions. These visualizations help make complex meteorological data accessible and actionable for decision-makers.
The development of drone capabilities for fire monitoring is an ongoing effort that extends beyond the work in Missoula. McSwain noted, “This campaign builds on nearly a decade of research, development, engineering, and testing. We have now established a UAS flight capability that NASA can utilize extensively.”
Looking ahead, the NASA Alta X and its sensor suite are scheduled for further advancements and demonstrations in Alabama and Florida in spring 2025. This next phase will incorporate improvements identified during the Montana trials and engage wildland fire managers from different regions.
For a closer look at the FireSense campaign, visit NASA’s photo gallery at NASA FireSense.
The FireSense project operates under NASA Headquarters in Washington and is part of the Wildland Fires program. The project office is based at NASA Ames, and its mission is to transition Earth science and technological innovations to operational wildland fire management agencies. The goal is to address challenges in U.S. wildland fire management before, during, and after fires occur.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in utilizing technology to enhance our understanding and management of wildfires, providing a glimpse into the future of firefighting and environmental protection.
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