New wildfire-related features enhance community model, showcase partnership with NSF NCAR

The Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC) has released the latest update to the Unified Forecast System (UFS) Short-Range Weather Application, adding new capabilities for modeling wildfires, smoke, and dust for weather model developers and researchers. These additional features are designed to improve forecasts of wildfires, air quality, and the spread of smoke and dust. This…

A leap forward in wildfire prediction: Integrating the community fire behavior model into the Unified Forecast System for next-generation fire-atmosphere simulations

This article was jointly written between the Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC) and NSF NCAR. The increase in the frequency of drought and hot-dry-windy conditions over the last several decades, combined with the continued expansion into the wildfire-urban interface region, has led to a marked increase in the number of acres burned by hazardous wildfires.…