Leveraging the Data and Network of the Western Wildfire Experiment for Cloud Chemistry, Aerosol Absorption and Nitrogen (WE-CAN)

Wildfire smoke originating in the western U.S. impacts air quality, nutrient cycles, weather, and climate. The WE-CAN project deployed the NCAR/NSF C-130 research aircraft in summer 2018 (22 July - 31 August) to sample wildfire smoke during its first day of atmospheric evolution. This study is the first in a series of closely related studies that offer an expanded opportunity for research via cross-agency collaborations. We will provide an overview of the mission design, logistical lessons we learned, and the particular wildfires that were characterized. We will also provide information on the dataset that we will have available and outline opportunities for collaboration with the upcoming wildfire missions and other related studies. More details on the project timeline and payload can be found here: https://www.eol.ucar.edu/field_projects/we-can