Webinar title: Prescribed fire and fine particle pollution in southeastern U.S.

Presented by: Dr. M. Talat Odman, Georgia Institute of Technology

Date: November 17, 2026, 1:00 – 2:00 PM (central time)

**Cohosted with the Southern Fire Exchange**

Register here (required): https://umsystem.zoom.us/meeting/register/uBpdVo1bR6mj5Eoocb6ZHw

Webinar abstract:

Prescribed fires, accounting for a significant proportion of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions, contribute substantially to regional air pollution.  This study integrated satellite fire detections, chemical transport modeling, data assimilation, and health effects analyses to assess prescribed fire smoke impacts on air quality and health across the southeastern U.S. from 2013–2021.

A fire-type differentiation algorithm was used to distinguish prescribed fires from wildfires in Fire Inventory from NCAR (FINN). Burned areas in FINN were calibrated using burn areas reported in matching permit records. Prescribed fire emissions were estimated using BlueSky Smoke Modeling Framework. Air quality simulations were performed using Weather Research and Forecasting and Community Multiscale Air Quality models at 12-km resolution to generate PM2.5 concentrations, which were then fused with observations to reduce modeling biases. Premature deaths attributable to exposure to prescribed fire PM2.5 were estimated. Other health effects were assessed by analyzing emergency department visits.

The results reveal that prescribed fire smoke poses significant public health risks. Further, the distinct health effect profile of prescribed fire smoke underlines the need for further studies to evaluate the trade-offs between prescribed fire and wildfires.