Wildfires, Climate & Health

Increases in wildfire frequency have been tied to climate change, and particulate matter from wildfires can severely impact human health. Several Brechtel-developed tools (TAP, STAP) are used to measure fire plumes and assess population exposures. Mobile platforms like UAVs can easily be equipped with soot detectors like the STAP to allow real-time mapping of plumes.

Over the past decade the STAP has been used by NOAA and other researchers to assess the impact that transport of forest fire aerosols is having on Arctic climate change. The STAP is one of the few soot detectors available with sufficient sensitivity to operate under clean Arctic conditions. By partnering closely with our customers, we provided a complete inlet and measurement solution that worked, even under harsh Arctic conditions.