Leveraging LiDAR Technology for Advanced Wildfire Analysis by the U.S. Forest Service

Wildfires have become increasingly common in the US and globally. In 2020 alone, the US experienced over 50,000 wildfires, burning over 8 million acres—nearly twice the area burned in 2019. To combat the devastation caused by wildfires, it is crucial to rely on scientific data and research. The United States Forest Service (USFS) has launched the Fire and Smoke Model Evaluation Experiment (FASMEE) to collect advanced measurements aimed at assessing and enhancing fire and smoke modeling tools, along with the scientific models that underpin them. This effort aims to improve our understanding of wildfires and provide valuable information for preventing and minimizing the damage they inflict on communities, infrastructure, and the environment.