High resolution fire emission estimates for air quality applications

Emissions of trace gases and particles from fires impact air quality and atmospheric chemistry from local to global scales. To quantify the impacts of fires across these scales, high resolution (both spatial and temporal) emission estimates are required. A simple fire emissions model has been developed to provide high resolution emission estimates for use in regional and global chemical transport models. The emissions model will be described and results for multiple years (2007-2009) provided. The model uses MODIS Rapid Response fire counts to determine fire location and timing. Comparisons with other fire emission estimates will be completed and uncertainties in the modeling process addressed. Although high uncertainties are associated with the estimates presented, the described model has value because it has been developed to create quick constraints on fire emissions needed for both forecast and hindsight models and for comparison with emissions from other sources. Examples of chemical transport model results using the fire emissions will be provided.