Open-Source Fire Science
- Wildfire Research
We’re advancing research in two areas critical to fire modeling: weather and fuel. Building on that body of work, we’re developing next-generation models to provide more accurate wildfire forecasts for the next week—and the rest of the century.
- Open Science
Funded by the California Energy Commission, Pyregence is firmly committed to the principles of open science. We believe that with more people examining a problem, the greater the chances it will be solved.
Pyregence Webinar Series
Pyrecast – Easy-To-Use Near-Term Fire Forecasting Tools For Improved Wildfire Situational Awareness
Dr. Chris Lautenberger presents the latest features and functions of the PyreCast near-term fire forecasting platform developed as part of the California Energy Commission EPIC program funded Pyregence Project (#EPC-18-026).
- Wildfire forecasting has never before been open and transparent. Similar forecasting tools are controlled by private companies, and the data and software are hidden in a black box behind a paywall.
- Pyregence is lifting the veil of secrecy and democratizing wildfire science. Our code is open source, and our data and tools are freely accessible to all. You can open up the hood on our models, see how they work, and even suggest improvements.
- This approach is not only democratic, it’s more efficient. Given that climate change is shaping the future of wildfire, we need to adjust to changing conditions, learn quickly, and constantly improve models. Only through open science can we meet these challenges. Pyregence is not science built for profit—it is science built for the public good.
Study
Improving wildfire behavior forecasting requires a better understanding of weather conditions and fuel loads.
Extreme Weather and Wildfire
This team will ensure that utility companies and government agencies have the fire weather forecasts they need to make life-saving decisions. Using machine learning and wildfire simulation techniques, our scientists are evolving our understanding of the relationship between weather conditions and wildfires.
Forest Fuels and Fire Behavior
To understand fire behavior, you must first understand fuel loads. This team is improving the accuracy of fire behavior forecasting by increasing our understanding of the fuels available on the forest floor. Our scientists will map the current amount, types, and distribution of fuels, and project future fuel loads over the next 10–20 years. We’re also conducting laboratory experiments to better understand how different sizes and types of fuels burn under varying weather conditions.
Extreme Weather Conditions and Wildfire
This team will ensure that utility companies and government agencies have the fire weather forecasts they need to make life-saving decisions. Using machine learning and wildfire simulation techniques, our scientists are evolving our understanding of the relationship between weather conditions and wildfires.
Forest Fuels and Fire Behavior
To understand fire behavior, you must first understand fuel loads. This team is improving the accuracy of fire behavior forecasting by increasing our understanding of the fuels available on the forest floor. Our scientists will map the current amount, types, and distribution of fuels, and project future fuel loads over the next 10–20 years. We’re also conducting laboratory experiments to better understand how different sizes and types of fuels burn under varying weather conditions.
Extreme Weather Conditions and Wildfire
This team will ensure that utility companies and government agencies have the fire weather forecasts they need to make life-saving decisions. Using machine learning and wildfire simulation techniques, our scientists are evolving our understanding of the relationship between weather conditions and wildfires.
Forest Fuels and Fire Behavior
To understand fire behavior, you must first understand fuel loads. This team is improving the accuracy of fire behavior forecasting by increasing our understanding of the fuels available on the forest floor. Our scientists will map the current amount, types, and distribution of fuels, and project future fuel loads over the next 10–20 years. We’re also conducting laboratory experiments to better understand how different sizes and types of fuels burn under varying weather conditions.
Build
Our next-generation models will more accurately predict wildfire risk for the next week and through the end of the century, taking into account climate change.
Wildfire Forecasting
Today’s fire forecasting models are decades old and unable to predict how fires will behave under current conditions. This team is working to improve predictions of where active fires will spread, when weather conditions exist that indicate increased fire danger, and where new destructive fires may occur. These forecasts will be delivered to every stakeholder who needs them, so that informed decisions can be made to protect people, property, and infrastructure.
Climate Change & Fire Projections
This team is creating next-generation models to simulate wildfire occurrence, size, severity, and smoke emissions through 2099. In order to support policies that promote resilience in the face of climate change, the team will develop a range of future wildfire risk projections that take into account different climate change scenarios, various options for managing California’s forests, and ways in which the state’s land may be developed.
Wildfire Forecasting
Today’s fire forecasting models are decades old and unable to predict how fires will behave under current conditions. This team is working to improve predictions of where active fires will spread, when weather conditions exist that indicate increased fire danger, and where new destructive fires may occur. These forecasts will be delivered to every stakeholder who needs them, so that informed decisions can be made to protect people, property, and infrastructure.
Climate Change & Fire Projection
This team is creating next-generation models to simulate wildfire occurrence, size, severity, and smoke emissions through 2099. In order to support policies that promote resilience in the face of climate change, the team will develop a range of future wildfire risk projections that take into account different climate change scenarios, various options for managing California’s forests, and ways in which the state’s land may be developed.
Wildfire Forecasting
Today’s fire forecasting models are decades old and unable to predict how fires will behave under current conditions. This team is working to improve predictions of where active fires will spread, when weather conditions exist that indicate increased fire danger, and where new destructive fires may occur. These forecasts will be delivered to every stakeholder who needs them, so that informed decisions can be made to protect people, property, and infrastructure.
Climate Change & Fire Projection
This team is creating next-generation models to simulate wildfire occurrence, size, severity, and smoke emissions through 2099. In order to support policies that promote resilience in the face of climate change, the team will develop a range of future wildfire risk projections that take into account different climate change scenarios, various options for managing California’s forests, and ways in which the state’s land may be developed.
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