New wildfire research system follows ecosystems from controlled burns through long-term recovery
On a perfect, crisp fall day with blue skies, scientists in yellow safety coats gather in the sprawling desert north of Reno. They watch as flames consume a burning bush and quickly spread through the surrounding grass. The fire is completely controlled and monitored by dozens of sensors as three enormous drones buzz directly overhead, following the curl of smoke as it dances in the light breeze.
Scientists in yellow safety coats gathered in the desert north of Reno to witness controlled, monitored burns with the aid of drones. The Harnessing the Data Revolution for Fire Science project brought together researchers from DRI, UNR, and UNLV to examine various aspects of wildfires, from air quality and hydrology to plant and soil recovery.
The project, delayed by a government shutdown, was set to complete burns before the wettest months. The site, chosen for its Great Basin sagebrush ecosystem, features a greenhouse that continuously records evapotranspiration and carbon flux measurements for a year post-burn. This data, combined with measurements of soil moisture, temperature, vegetation composition, and burn severity, will help link ecosystem function and physical drivers to fire impacts.
The project aims to improve land and fire management by treating wildfire as a continuum, integrating five major research areas and an education and workforce development component.
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